Issue 79 Autumn 2014 by Melbourn Magazine

...editorial What a wonderful summer we have had, and how pretty the flowers around the village have looked, both on the green and on the site of the old British Legion Hut; many thanks to those who look after and water them. The flowers on the War Memorial are also much appreciated, and especially at this time when we are remembering the outbreak of the First World War a hundred years ago. This year, for the first time that I remember in the last twenty years, the Village Fete started out badly, with a tremendous downpour, which washed some people right out of their stalls! Fortunately the weather eventually improved and undeterred, people returned to enjoy a great day. Thank you so much to the committee who spent months preparing this event, for the benefit of the village. (see page 9) The Hub is functioning very well, proving a popular venue, and is introducing more events. (see page 65) This issue’s profile is of Margery Shaw, whose articles on the Robert Sayle and John Lewis stores we have enjoyed in the last two issues. (see page 26) On the weekend of July 19th and 20th several hundred people visited Melbourn History Group’s WWI Exhibition, held in All Saints’ Church by kind permission of Rev. Andrew O’Brien. (see page 13) The exhibition also contained the views of the Village College students who had recently visited the Somme (see page 31), information from Meldreth History Group and a wonderful exhibition of artefacts by Barrington British Legion. For those who missed this, the bulk of the display boards will be on show in Meldreth on 9th November and hopefully in other local venues during the next four years. The Village College has agreed to look after the display boards and will use them as teaching aids. By now all school examination results will be out. We hope that you all received the results you were hoping for, and that you will enjoy the next stage of your career, whether you have chosen further education or to go straight into your chosen work place.

Melbourn Magazine is printed quarterly and delivered free to every household and business in the village. All work on the Melbourn Magazine, including layout and design is produced by volunteers. The cost of printing comes entirely from advertising and sponsorship.

Melbourn Magazine is independent of the Parish Council NO public money is used. We would like to thank TTP for their continued sponsorship of the magazine. If you would like to advertise in the Melbourn Magazine see page 71 for details

Village News

Community matters

feature

World War 1 Exhibition

Nature

River Mel Restoration Group

Parish Council

feature

An Invitation from the Meldreth & Melbourn Church Bell Ringers

Profile

Marjorie Shaw

feature

A crazy language!!

Education

Village information

Diary

Story time?

Problems in Hundred Acre Wood

Sports & Clubs

Nature

Lavender Love and Purple Haze

Church News

What’s On

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village news Melbourn Library

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

British Legion, Women’s Section

Melbourn History Group

Home-Start fundraising

Meldreth & Shepreth Station Accessibility

Wood Green re-homing charity

Melbourn Fete 2014

Melbourn Library Melbourn Library is now well established in its new home in The Hub. Initially volunteer librarians sat at the same desk as the Hub receptionist but have now moved to the other side of the entrance. We are awaiting our new desk, which will co-ordinate with the reception desk, replacing the temporary table we now use. Our new home has brought us into the centre of the village and made residents more aware of the library’s existence. As a result in the four months we have been at the Hub we have had 153 new registrations and our lending’s are up at least 70%. This is very heartening as it shows how much the library, which is staffed entirely by volunteers, is valued by the community. Our stock of fiction is wide and varied but we can also order any book from the Cambridgeshire library stock. Ordered books usually arrive within 7–10 days. Audio books and music CDs are available as well. Once you have a library card you can order books on line and renew borrowed books on line. The library opening times remain the same: Monday to Friday 2.30 – 4.30 pm Thursday the library remains open until 6.30 pm Saturday 10 am – 12 pm Jane Stevens

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

Christmas Door Decoration Workshops Home Start see page 6

The Group is for all women of any age. Meetings are held at 7.45 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month, except in December and we vary our venues between Melbourn and Meldreth. We charge £1 on the night to cover expenses and there is an opportunity to make a donation to the chosen charity of the year, which is The National Autistic Society. We usually have a guest speaker or some in-house entertainment followed by a chance to have a chat over tea/coffee and biscuits. Our next meeting is 23rd September in the meeting room of Holy Trinity Church Meldreth where the Rev. Andrew O’Brien will talk to us about some of his experiences as a Police Chaplain. October 3rd is the Joint Parishes Harvest Supper held in Meldreth Village Hall and we will be helping to organise this with other members of the parishes. This will be a ticket only function which must be purchased in advance to assist us with planning for the catering. Tickets will be available from members of the committee. Our October meeting is on the 28th in All Saints Church, Community Hall when we plan to make decorations for our Christmas Tree for the Meldreth Tree Festival. Come prepared to help with ideas or materials and we hope this will be an evening of melbournmagazine

fun with an opportunity to have a good chat at the same time. (There might even be some cake to go with the tea and coffee). On 15th November we will have a jewellery stall at All Saints Bazaar so if you are sorting out your crown jewels all donations and any offers of help on the day would be greatly appreciated. Then on 25th November we meet at Holy Trinity Meeting Room for an Advent reflection from Rev. Mary Price – this normally gives us an opportunity to take a bit of time out before we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations. We have no meeting in December and will meet in January for our AGM. If you would like to know more feel free to contact Pat Smith 262575, Sue Toule 260955 or Anne Harrison 261775

British Legion, Women’s Section Melbourn and Meldreth Branch We have been quite active during the summer months. In April I was able to carry the standard to the Anzac celebration in Cambridge. I also took the standard to the funeral of Olive Teece, a former member. Two of our members, Shirley Cunningham and Betty Murphy were our delegates this year and represented us at our national Conference in Wales. On 7th June I took the standard to the official opening of the Melbourn Community Hub, and put a poppy wreath round the stand. Two of our members volunteer at the Hub every week. Our June Group meeting was at Steeple Morden Village Hall. After the meeting we had an interesting and educational talk on container gardening. Our 25th June meeting was at Vicarage Close. We had a flower arranging competition which was won by Betsy Spencer. Our August meeting was a talk about Baltic Cruising by David Wherrell. We hope to hold our Harvest Supper on 24th September, at 7pm, and the AGM will be held on 22nd October, both at Vicarage Close Community Hall.

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If you would like to become a member of the Women’s Section please come along. We meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month and new members are always welcome. Pauline Parkinson Standard Bearer; Chairman Christine Linsdell Tel 262208; Secretary Betty Murphy Tel 220841

Melbourn History Group You can read elsewhere in this edition of the Melbourn Magazine about the successful World War 1 Exhibition staged by the Group over the weekend of 19/20 July. Over the two days a steady stream of visitors came and looked at the 15 display boards that showed not only life in the trenches but also how the village ‘carried on’ with their menfolk away fighting or serving in so many ways. We were pleased that so many kind people lent us precious family souvenirs of their families and other items such as medals, letters, birthday and Christmas cards and other memorabilia. Many people have been very kind and sent their congratulations and the Group were very pleased with the result. For three of our members Sally Wright, Eric Johnston and myself this was our swansong as we are stepping down from the Group. I would like to express my thanks to them and also to Mavis, Ann, Jan and Peter, who, together with so many others, have worked so hard for 15 years to record the history of Melbourn and to produce not only four excellent books but also helped to stage the various events that have showed the history of our village. At the Exhibition we had enquiries from people who were interested in joining the Group and I am sure that the excellent work we have produced over the years will continue. It can be fairly said that unlike some Committees the Melbourn History Group has never fallen out, taken sides or formed cliques but has always worked together, often with great humour, to ensure that our history has been recorded. I also thank the people of Melbourn who have supported our efforts, lending family records and photographs and gently chiding us when we have got the facts wrong! Colin Limming, Chairman.

Home-Start fundraising dates for your diaries Friday 19th September – A Taste of India – 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start at Foxton Village Hall – During the evening Rama will give us a brief explanation of her cultural history and background, she will also be cooking a chicken curry, fried rice and onion bhajis with a dip to go with them. You will have the opportunity to taste all this delicious food and Rama will also demonstrate how to wear a sari. Tickets for this event will be £15 and will include a glass of wine, a raffle will also be held during the evening. Saturday 18th October – Quiz Night with supper to be held at Meldreth Village Hall. This will be a fun quiz – teams of 6 are required but if you can’t get a full team, please do still join us and we can include you in another team. Tickets will be £10 each to include your supper and a raffle will be held at this event. Tuesday 11th November – 7.30pm – A Fashion Show – to be held at Esse Retail & Therapy, Melbourn. You will get a chance to browse and maybe even start your Christmas shopping before the fashion show. Tickets for this event will be £12 each – to include a glass of wine and a raffle will be held during the evening. Thursday 4th December – Christmas Door Decoration Workshops – to be held at Foxton Village Hall – back by popular demand – you can attend a workshop at 11.00am – 2.00pm or another will be held at 7.00pm – 10.00pm. Tickets will be £20 each and you will be supplied with all the materials you need to make your decoration. These are fun workshops, why not come along with your friends and enjoy a pre-Christmas night out.

»» »» »»

For further details or to book a ticket for any of the above events please either call the Home-Start office on 01763 262262 or email admin@hsrsc.org.uk

Meldreth & Shepreth Station Accessibility Update

rebuilding footbridges – clearly this is a much more complicated and expensive task than what is being done at Shepreth.

It is some time since we have updated local residents on the Rail User Group’s campaign for improved access at Meldreth Station. However, the campaign is very much still current! Discussions have been ongoing with the relevant parties at First Capital Connect and Network Rail, and as a result of our Community Rail Partnership we also have the support of the County Council who are including the accessibility issues in their Transport Strategy. The train operating franchise is being passed to Govia in September – we have already raised the issue with them, and will be continuing to discuss it with them as soon as we have the opportunity. Unfortunately, infrastructure matters do seem to move slowly in the rail industry and so we do not expect to see anything dramatic happening at Meldreth anytime soon. What we are doing, however, is continuing to keep the issue on the radar of the relevant parties in the hope that the time will come when funding and resources will become available for Meldreth to ‘have its turn’. Those of you who travel on the railway between here and London will be aware that a number of other larger stations (including Letchworth, Hitchin and Stevenage) have recently undergone major improvements to their accessibility with the installation of lifts. It seems fair to accept that these much larger and busier stations receive the investment first, but we do believe that Meldreth has a strong individual case. Meldreth Manor School have told us in the past that they would make good use of the station if they could, and this would be beneficial to staff travelling to work as well as students. The station serves two active villages, with large numbers of people travelling into and out of them each day for work and leisure. We also know of a number of individual case studies of people who either struggle to use the station, or simply cannot use it, but would very much like to. If this is you, we would be very grateful if you could get in touch! Do you struggle up and down the steps, but really need a more accessible station? Or are you simply unable to use it due to your own physical needs, or having young children with you? Do you drive to another station to be able to make use of the trains? Or do you find that just don’t use them because it’s too difficult, but really you would prefer to travel by train?

So please: Be assured that the campaign is still very active. Do not expect to see anything dramatic happen anytime soon simply because of the complexities of the situation we are up against! Get in touch if you would be willing to share your personal experiences of using (or not using) the station, or if you would like to get involved in any way.

• • • •

Having individual examples would be very helpful when we are continuing to explain how crucial it is to improve access at Meldreth. Please find contact details below. Meanwhile, many of you will have read in the local press about issues at Shepreth Station. We had not been campaigning about access at Shepreth as such because it was at least possible to get onto both platforms without using steps, albeit by using the steep ramp at the end of each platform. However, serious safety concerns arose earlier in the year over misuse of the level crossing, which resulted in Network Rail closing the ramp at the end of the London-bound platform. We had been told that a new ramp would be built from the carpark onto the platform at the same time, which unfortunately did not happen, thus making the station less accessible, although safer. The Rail User Group has been assured by Network Rail that a ramp will be installed from the station carpark onto the London-bound platform (via the station building) during the summer. This will make access at the station better than it was previously, although access to the Cambridge-bound platform is still only by crossing the level crossing and going up the steep ramp at the end of the platform. You may wonder why this ramp can be put in so quickly at Shepreth, when the Meldreth campaign is taking a lot longer. This answer is due to the nature of the stations and the land around – at Shepreth, the new ramp going in only needs to cover the height of four steps, and can be built on land that is already owned by Network Rail. At Meldreth, there are nine steps up to the London-bound platform from the Melbourn side, and this is on private land. Then there is the bridge between the two platforms which has 27 steps on each side. Achieving full step-free access at Meldreth therefore potentially involves installing lifts, building long ramps, and

• • •

Janet Cottenden, Secretary of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group Please email railusergroup@melbourn. org.uk Or ring 01763 261833 (Susan van de Ven, Chair of Rail User Group) or 01763 261786 (Janet Cottenden, Secretary) Information about accessibility and other station issues can be found on our website: www.melbourn.org.uk/ railusergroup

Wood Green re-homing charity I’m writing to you today from your local re-homing charity, Wood Green, to ask whether you can help us with the re-homing of a couple of our longest residents. Buddy is a 5-year-old Terrier who arrived at Wood Green on 27th November last year. He’s a sweet and affectionate boy who wasn’t given the best start in life and now deserves to find a loving family. He came in with a skin condition, which left a lot of his back sore and hairless. The hair is now growing back and he’s feeling much happier. All he needs now is to find a loving home. Buddy could possibly live with a female dog, a bold cat and children over the age of seven. Lilly Allen has been at Wood Green just shy of a year after arriving on 20th September. She was living in a small flat with a family who unfortunately didn’t have time for her. She’s only six-years-old and is a fantastic little cat who is looking for a home with a family who will give her the time and patience she needs. melbournmagazine

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Lilly is a chatty young girl who loves a fuss and to sit with you. She is yet to explore the outdoor world and is looking forward to pottering around a nice garden and enjoying some sunshine. For further information about re-homing Lilly Allen please call 0844 248 8181. Spread the word and help these needy animals find the forever homes they deserve.

Buddy

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Melbourn Fete 2014 The sun didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shine on us this year This time last year I was writing about how lucky we were with the warm and sunny weather and how that contributed to our best year ever. After a long run of good weather at the fete it was only a matter of time before our luck ran out. The forecast for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all for periods of heavy rain and possibly strong winds. After a full day of setting up on Friday in dry conditions we were hoping that the weather forecaster had been too pessimistic. Saturday morning arrived and all was still dry. The Fete opened at 1pm and just as things started to get going the heavens opened. For an hour the field emptied as visitors and participants took shelter wherever they could. As puddles grew bigger to form little lakes we all thought we were heading for a washout. After an hour of heavy rain the sky had no more to throw at us. Within 2 hours the puddles had disappeared, some occasional glimpses of blue skies were seen and our visitors returned. It was a terrible start to the day but things could only get better and they did. Of particular note was how the display from the Raptor Foundation continued their show as the rain got heavier and heavier. Mark Smith, one of the Foundation staff, introduced the birds as they displayed their flying skills in the arena. There was a Tawny Owl, a Burrowing Owl, a Barn Owl, an Eagle owl and a Harris Hawk. The Raptor foundation was set up to aid wild disabled birds of prey. They rehabilitate the birds and release them into the wild. Once the birds had finished their display there was a halt to the arena activities as the conditions worsened. Once the attractions in the arena restarted local groups treated us to lots of displays. Lauren Richardson, our aerobatic pilot got her timing just right as she put

For some visitors the rain was an extra attraction.

on a spectacular display just after the rain abated, the dark clouds giving a dramatic backdrop to her breath-taking manoeuvres. It was also the scene for our tug of war and egg throwing competition later in the day. Protected under the cover of the marquee the competition was well Showing excellent timing our aerobatic pilot Lauren Richardson appeared just as the grey clouds were clearing

Not long after the gates opened so did the sky. The field emptied as people took shelter wherever they could. Fortunately an hour later the rain stopped.

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Our parade of classic vehicles ... and the bar remained busy throughout the day.

supported with a good range of entries in all the categories. We had three local judges. Dianne Sinnatamby in her first year of judging at the fete, judged the miniature gardens, children’s jelly baby dioramas, vegetable and fruit vehicles. She had the following comments “incredible entries, judging has not been easy they are all so incredible”. Ruth Bond, was a judge last year. This year she tasted the preserves, chutneys and cordials and assessed the flower arranging and photography. She commented “the standard is pretty high particularly the preserves. The more competitions the better as it lifts the standard.” Rob Smart, a contestant on The Great British Bake Off sampled the cakes. He remarked, ”there are some great entries including a Victoria Local singer songwriter Erin Tidey opening up the Music on the Moor show

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sandwich from a five year old. At the age of five I could not have done what she has done. Generally the standard is quite high, some good cakes, anyone of these cakes I would be quite happy to eat for afternoon tea.” Asked if there were any future Great British Bake Off stars in the competition he said, “there was a good chocolate orange cake here that could be a contender.” Asked if there were any Dalek cakes in the competition Rob remarked that there was an octopus cake and two Tardis cakes. We would like to thank all three judges for their time and of course for all those who entered our various categories of the competition. It will be back next year. In addition to our classic bike owners and vintage vehicle visitors we had some old bicycles on display. These fragile frames are a far cry from the modern rugged bikes made from composite materials and were a great illustration of engineering advancement over the last century. Most of the motorbikes, vehicles and bicycles remained through the downpour, their owners doing their best to protect them from the elements. We are grateful that they remained and hope that their beautiful vehicles have dried out. They provided a splendid spectacle as they paraded through the arena towards the end of the day. We look forward to their return next year. Most of the stallholders enjoyed a successful afternoon as conditions improved. There was a range of local activities and groups as well as commercial stalls offering an interesting and informative selection. Similarly, the attractions had an improving afternoon as people returned to the field. Our brilliant Bar and BBQ staff soldiered on through out the day providing tasty hot food and drinks to our visitors. The Brownies, who for the second year provided tea, coffee and cakes in the newly refurbished pavilion did well. The fete finished at 5 pm and the Music on the Moor started. By this time the weather was much better. Our new inflatable stage with uprated lighting and sound provided a great backdrop for our acts. They all entertained us with a really good selection of music and by the end of the evening we think we had the largest crowd ever dancing the night away. We are really grateful for all the support we get from our community. Without the generous sponsorship from local companies and individuals and income from advertising we could not offer such a range of subsidised activities. We have a terrific team of volunteers who help set up and clear up over the weekend and also help run the bar, BBQ and other vital activities on Saturday. Without their help we could not have a Fete. We also appreciate the support we receive from the Parish Council. Our motto is Fun and Fundraising for Melbourn. We think everyone who attended had a really good time. The feedback on our Facebook page and by personal comments have all been very positive. We were able to cover our costs this year but unfortunately will probably not have enough to be able to support any local groups. This year the sun didn’t shine on us but the people of Melbourn and the surrounding area shone through with their fabulous support for this day. Next year the Fete will be on 20th June, there will be more information about the event early next year.

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A new idea from Relate Cambridge Why not buy your friends and family one of our gift vouchers? What better way to give something that will nurture a relationship over the years to come … Relate Cambridge is recognizing the importance of the preventative work it does on relationships, with the promotion of the new Relate Cambridge gift vouchers, which can be bought on line via our website. These make thoughtful, practical and unusual gifts and give couples the best possible opportunity to stay on the right track with their relationship. For example, how about using a gift voucher is as a wedding present? A couple recently included marriage-counselling vouchers on their wedding gift list. (Click here to follow the link to this article). Or – alternatively – the spark can be helped to be kept alive with a voucher for 6 sessions of couple counselling. We believe that there is no better way to ensure a healthy outcome for any relationship. We are offering vouchers to use for a pre-marriage treat with our Couples relationship course (available in Melbourn). This will prepare you for – and help you cope with – any transitions in your relationship such as moving in together, getting married, becoming parents, a career change, a new life stage, bereavement or “empty nest” syndrome, to name just a few. The course offers tips for a happier future together but also helps a relationship to survive the stresses and strains of modern life. A voucher could also be used for an anniversary or special occasion gift with a relationship MOT session. These one-off sessions can be run on any one of the following topics: Relationship Skills, Confidence Building, Family Pressures or Managing Conflict.

Relationship Support is now available in Melbourn from Relate Cambridge

can support you and help make sure you (or a relative) remain independent. The new Safe+Well Service is run by NRS Healthcare with support from Cambridgeshire County Council. Safe+Well offers local residents a wealth of advice and information about what equipment is available, how it can help at home, and where you can try and buy it both online and in local shops. You can take an online questionnaire to find out what products could help with tasks you have difficulty with. You can also get advice over the telephone or even arrange a home visit by a trained healthcare professional. Safe+Well will run local demonstration and advice clinics where you can drop in to talk to their advisors and try out some daily living aids. To find out more, visit the website www.safeandwell.co.uk/cambridgeshire. Don’t use the internet? No problem! You can call or email for more information or to request a product catalogue. Tel: 01480 415719 Email: enquiries@ safeandwell.co.uk continued on page 15

The sessions are held in the small meeting room at Melbourn Hub on Wednesday each week. Appointment times are: 10:30; 11:45; 13:00 For more information or to book an appointment, contact Relate Cambridge on 01223 357424 Mon-–Thur 8am–10pm, Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm (confidential answerphone at all other times). Relate Cambridge – supporting relationships at every stage of your life. www.relatecambridge.org.uk.

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feature World War 1 Exhibition 19th and 20th July 2014 By Sir David Wright Professional historians can be perplexed by the popularisation of history. They welcome the idea that light should be shed more widely on events of which the anniversaries appear periodically in the calendar. But their well-engrained attachment to careful analysis of data makes them nervous about the risk of popularisation strengthening myth, prejudice and trivialisation. The centenary of The Great War has furnished ample evidence to support these anxieties. It has been most graphically evoked in a debate over suggestions that certain TV comedy portrayals might provide worthy commentary on historical truth. Thankfully this risk has been countered by more worthy and valuable attempts to analyse the causes of The Great War in a serious, considered, yet accessible manner. There have been excellent television debates in which experienced and talented historians have debated alternative scenarios. The broadsheets have sponsored well researched and balanced supplements. And at the local level, communities have come together to see how The Great War affected the lives, and deaths, of their antecedents. The work done by the Melbourn History Group, with contributions from their counterparts in Meldreth and Barrington, in the exhibition in All Saints Church over the weekend of 19-20 July stands as a fine example of the application of local historical research and data collection at this time of reflection and memory. Members of local communities, who attended the exhibition in substantial numbers, showed a touching combination of appreciation and engagement in what had been prepared for their

scrutiny. The local historians who took on this challenge deserve applause and gratitude for what they achieved. The exhibition was well planned and executed. It combined high level historical explanation of the background to and conduct of The Great War and at the same time well researched local level involvement in both the times of the conflict and its impact on local communities. Naturally the exhibition had to have a visually arresting panel of description of life in the trenches. But it sought to go much further than the familiar. It was particularly striking and relevant that at the same time as giving a full chronology of the main events of continued on page 14

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The Great War, it wove into this chronology further panels giving the chronology of events in the villages throughout the length of the war. This chronology sought to record the enlistment and also the sad deaths of young men from the villages in the conflict. These exhibition panels personalised the lives and deaths of particular young men but also dealt with “the home front”. And in that respect, many will have been intrigued by information about, Melbourn’s debate and commitment about assistance to families of Belgian refugees, local hospital facilities and the work to which German prisoners were put locally. These panels of detailed information on local issues also appropriately reflected on the role of local agricultural workers when enlisted in dealing with the vast numbers of horses which were employed in drawing carts, gun-carriages and provisions to keep the Front supplied. The role of the horse in The Great War on both sides, and more so for the Germans and Austrians even than the British, is an important reflection on the nature of the society which was drawn into the activities to support the War Effort. Interesting to read one specific panel about Charles Dodkin, whose descendants still live in the area and who was conscripted to do just that: to use his talents as a horse keeper to manage horses at the front until sadly he met his death. In contrast, interestingly enough, was the absence of material in the exhibition about the role of women in that War Effort. This was not a failure of research but a reflection of the society of the time which paid no attention to the role of women in the way which was subsequently cultivated in respect of the Second World War. In Melbourn and Meldreth, despite exhaustive efforts, no material could be found to display this aspect. Balancing these representations of The Great War were two panels giving accounts of the visits to the Flanders battlefields of young people from Melbourn Village College. In all 120 students paid these visits and contributed to these display panels. This link to the present day is essential on this significant anniversary. Many families allowed the History Group to display the possessions of their forbears which had been passed on down the generations. This helped to enhance the personal proximity between the exhibition, those whose lives it recorded and the families which had preserved and cherished the memories which these possessions embodied. It was good also to note how the organisers had ensured that the

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exhibits were clearly labelled and attributed to those who had been involved in the exhibition’s organisation. And a voice from the past was visible in the collections of cigarette cards from private collections portraying features of the conflict and the troops engaged. Though lost, perhaps thankfully, from today’s everyday life, cigarette cards were a common feature of life in the first half of the 20th Century and evocative in their manufacture to support the commitment of the troops in France and also, as the exhibition showed, beyond the Western Front. So a vote of thanks and applause to a significant village effort which brought history and global events down from the high level analyses of our TV historians to the daily impact of The Great War on the life and doings of a community in Cambridgeshire. And also that effort recorded thanks to the work of local volunteers – even down to the cakes and tea which sustained the many visitors!

Photographs by Jan Simmonett

In Memory by Howard T N Ussher 11th November 1938 Within the Book of Memory Are scented leaves grown dry: But love for those who gathered them Can never, never, die. Somewhere in France those roses bloomed, Somewhere in France they died; Somewhere, beneath the arching blue, Two graves lie side by side. Son of a peasant, son of a peer, They sleep the same long sleep: The angel of God will waken them When He calls men from the deep. We cherish the leaves which link the lands Of Britain and Brittany; Together, we bow and worship God, As we chant Love’s litany. The Rev. Usher was Minister of the Baptist Church in Melbourn from 1937 to 1948. This poem, published in the Independent Press in 1938, on the eve of the Second World War was given by Joan Gane of Meldreth.

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme Can we help you? Can we help a relative? Can we help a neighbour? Who does the Scheme help? The scheme is open to anyone who requests our help including those who live alone or with their families but need the extra support offered by our services. Couples too are most welcome. It is also open to those in sheltered housing, as the scheme offers different, but complementary services. Note: The scheme also offers its services for short periods to cover the temporary absence of relatives who otherwise provide this support.

We offer help with:

• • • • • • • • • • •

Friendship and support via twice weekly visits and daily phone calls Ordering and collection of prescriptions Basic shopping Collection of pensions Setting up Lifeline service Bereavement support Advice on benefits Going to the Post Office to pay your bills Advice on getting repairs done in your home Arranging transport to the hospital or other appointments Just coming round for a chat

What will it cost? We do have to make a small weekly charge for the warden’s services. The fee is only £5 per week (a little more for couples). Margo Wherrell (Mobile Warden) 01763 260966 Mobile: 07935 315497 Email: tigress270549@aol.com Jeannie Seers (Deputy Warden) 01763 262651 Mobile: 07808 735066 Email: jeanseers1@ntlworld.com Joy Hyde (Assistant Warden) 01763 220139 Mobile: 07952 090089. Melbourn Warden Scheme is a registered charity.

Carers Away Day Do you care for someone? A carer is a person of any age – adult or child – who provides unpaid support to a partner, child, relative or friend, who could not manage to live independently, or whose health and wellbeing would deteriorate without this help. Those receiving this care may need help due to frailty, disability or a serious health condition, mental ill health or substance misuse. Cambridgeshire’s Carers Away Day 2014 is being held on Friday 3rd October from 10am to 4pm at the Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon. This free annual event provides carers with the opportunity to take part in informal discussion groups with expert speakers, relax, get creative and have fun by taking part in a range of afternoon activities, and to visit the marketplace of information and advice stands. Lunch and refreshments are provided. This is an opportunity to meet other carers and share your stories and experiences. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. To book your place at the Carers Away Day 2014 contact the Carers Support Team on 01480 377616 or by emailing: CarersSupportTeam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk **There may be support for carers to attend the event so please ask for any assistance you might need to enable you to come. For more information about the day visit www.cambridgeshire.net

Saving Money on Your Heating Oil With over 17,000 homes off the gas grid in South Cambridgeshire, many families in our community use oil to heat their homes. If you’re on oil and looking to make a saving on your next order, check out our useful tips for smart, simple ways to cut down your costs! 1 Watch the weather: Oil prices typically decline during spring and summer, when temperatures are high and demand is low. By topping-up your tank this summer, you can take advantage of these great prices and stay warm in winter for less. 2 Compare prices: Shop around or use an instant, impartial comparison service such as BoilerJuice, to make sure you always get the best quote for your oil. 3 Buy in bulk: Instead of topping-up your oil levels on a regular basis, fill your tank in one go to cut down on delivery costs and get a great bulk-buy price. 4 Order early: Set a regular reminder, mark it on your calendar or simply plan ahead of time to beat the rush, avoid costly emergency orders and take advantage of cheaper delivery options. 5 Add an additive: An inexpensive way to upgrade your fuel, oil additives prevent tank sludge build-up, improve overall efficiency and save you money by reducing expensive maintenance costs, operating problems and boiler breakdowns. 6 Protect your tank: Protect your oil supply against theft by monitoring your levels regularly, installing security lights and using a padlock to secure the entrance to your tank area. 7 Sign up for email alerts: Sign up to newsletters and email bulletins with an independent oil price comparison site to be the first to know about any seasonal offers, vouchers or price drops.

CAB Question: HMRC has just contacted me to say that I owe them money as they have overpaid my Tax Credits. I didn’t realise that this could happen, and I don’t have enough money set aside to pay them back. What should I do? Our advice: Tax Credits are designed to give working people a little bit of extra income to help guarantee a decent standard of living from work. Unfortunately, the system by which entitlement to Tax Credits is decided is complicated and can often lead to people falling into debt when they are asked to continued on page 18

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Nature River Mel Restoration Group

Members of the River Mel Restoration Group met in May for their Annual General Meeting. Following the short business part of the meeting, Ruth Hawksley, (Water for Wildlife Officer for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust) presented the findings from a water vole survey she undertook along the River Mel during early summer 2013. Ruth informed members that water voles are the fastest declining mammal recorded in the country. Nationally it is estimated that the water vole population has declined by over 90% during the last forty years, with an estimated decline of 87% in the Anglian region. Changes to, and loss of habitat, along with predation from mink, are the main causes of the decline. In order to map the remaining colonies the Wildlife Trust decided to survey the water vole population along the River Rhee and its tributaries, which included the River Mel. The survey along the Mel showed abundant evidence of water vole activity with food stores, water vole holes and latrines all being found along the length of the watercourse. The area provides good habitat and plenty of food for them, with many areas of lush green vegetation on the banks all the way down to the water as well as good field margins. Fortunately, water voles are not fussy about what they eat

and a survey in 1993 identified 227 species of plant eaten by them. They also love apples, other fruits, bark, bulbs and roots. South Cambridgeshire is fortunate in still having areas of good habitat for water voles and we are lucky that the Mel still demonstrates its local importance in this regard. The River Mel Restoration Group continues to meet for regular working parties to maintain and enhance the River Mel and its environs. If you would like to know more or join the volunteers please contact Maureen Brierley 01763 262752 or by email Maureen.brierley@virgin.net

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repay money they’ve wrongly been given by HMRC. Tax Credits are gradually being phased into the Government’s new Universal Credit system, which is intended to reduce Credit miscalculations and overpayments. However whilst we wait for the system to change, problems with the current process seem to be getting worse. Last year, Citizens Advice across England and Wales saw a 14 per cent increase in problems relating to debt caused by Tax Credit overpayments. The combination of pressures on people’s living costs means that being asked to repay Tax Credits at the end of the year can be a real blow. Skyhigh energy bills, expensive childcare and wages which are still failing to keep up with costs mean that it can be a real struggle for households make ends meet. The last thing hard-pressed households need is for HMRC to put them in more debt. Often, HMRC will be willing to work with you to see what you can afford to pay back, but in many cases, poor communication and delays by the agency have led to our clients struggling to get a fair outcome. If you’re struggling with debt then it’s important to take steps to get on top of your bills. Debt can seem impossible but there’s always a way out of problems. If you come to us, we will be able to work out a debt management plan with free and impartial advice. *North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire residents can obtain advice from any of the North Herts CAB offices – located in Letchworth, Hitchin or Royston. An outreach service is also available twice monthly at the Melbourn Community Hub. Please visit our website for further information. www. northhertscab.org.uk For the most up-to-date advice, please visit: www.adviceguide.org.uk

House to House Collections Daily we seem to get more and more plastic bags being delivered collecting on behalf of one charitable organisation or

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another. So are they all genuine? Unfortunately it is getting harder for householders to tell. All collectors must hold a House to House Collections Act 1939 National Exemptions Order (NEO) issued by the Home Office or a House to House Collection License issued by the District Council. Of course there are genuine collections such as those for the British Heart Foundation or NSPCC, whose bag distribution and collections are by a company that hold a NEO. They are one of 44 organisations that currently hold the NEO from the Home Office. In addition, and as a courtesy, many of the companies inform the District Council when they are collecting in the area. However, one of the latest bags to appear through our doors is ‘Helping Our Soldiers’, which are distributed by Maksim Ltd. They do not hold a National Exemption order from the Home Office or a House to House Collection License from SCDC. If you suspect that such apparently charitable collections are not genuine, simply do not put anything in the bag. You can always give directly to your favourite charity’s High Street shop, many of whom offer a personal collection service. Some of the names that hold a NEO are: Age UK; Alexandra Rose Charities; Asthma UK; Barnardo’s; BBC Children in Need; British Heart Foundation; British Leprosy Relief Association (LEPRA); British Red Cross Society; Cancer Research UK; Christian Aid; Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust; Kidney Research UK; Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research; Macmillan Cancer Support; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Marie Curie Cancer Care; National Blind Children’s Society; National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC); Oxfam; Royal Air Forces Association; Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals RSPCA; Royal National Institute of Blind People; Royal National Lifeboat Institution; St John Ambulance; Save the Children; Scope; Shelter; The Children’s Society; The Royal British Legion; The Salvation Army; World Cancer Research Fund; World Wide Fund for Nature. For more information see the following website: www.gov.uk/government/ publications/national-exemption-order-scheme

Fire safety in the home In Cambridgeshire there are more than 200 accidental fires in people’s homes each year. These have resulted in homes and treasured possessions being destroyed, people being injured, and tragically, in some cases people have lost their lives. Most people are aware of the dangers of fire but often think ‘it won’t happen to me’. The reality is that it could happen to anyone. The majority of accidental house fires could have been prevented by people taking a little more care to minimise the risks of fire in their home or by being more careful. In many cases, damage could have been reduced if smoke alarms had been present or working properly, as an earlier warning could have meant fire crews were alerted earlier. The advice in this section will help you protect yourself and your family from fire. And if a fire does occur, you can learn about what you need to do to help you and your family get out quickly and safely. But if you do nothing else, install a smoke alarm. A FREE home fire safety check may also be available to you. This is where we visit your home, offer fire safety advice and fit free smoke alarms where needed. Requests are prioritised according to individual risk. Take action today, and don’t be left asking ‘why me?’. Important information everybody should know

FREE Home Fire Safety Check What is a FREE Home Fire Safety Check? A FREE home fire safety check may be available to you. This is a service we offer to residents in Cambridgeshire. Firefighters or specially trained community safety officers can visit your home to help you identify and assess the risks of fire and advise you on the best practices to keep your home and family safe. We will advise you on

the appropriate number and correct type of smoke alarm and fit them correctly. To see if you are eligible for this service, contact us by filling out the Domestic Enquiry form at the CFRS Gateway (the form is sent directly to us). Alternatively, you can ring 0800 917 99 94 and leave a message on the answer phone with your name, address and daytime phone number. We will then give you a call back. Please be aware that home fire safety checks are prioritised according to individual risk.

Car break in at Riverside Walk - Shepreth…! Anne and I decided this Sunday afternoon, 15th June, to drive to Riverside Walk at Shepreth. parked the car in the car park at the Barrington Road end at approximately 3.15pm (there was one other car parked there when we arrived) We then walked by the river towards Meldreth, We passed two very friendly families and a lady walking their dogs. On returning at about 4.45 we arrived back to find the rear windscreen had been smashed and the cover to the boot of Saab estate car pushed back…! Nothing had been stolen as all I had in the back were empty plastic flower pots and trays waiting be taken to the recycling box at Scotsdale’s. I phoned the Cambridge police who took all the relevant details and said they would keep us informed and monitor the situation. I then phoned the insurance company who are sending someone out later in the week to repair the rear window! In the mean time the AA have put a temporary sheet over the rear windscreen. I have sent this notice just so our villages can be aware that it could be a problem in parking at the Shepreth Riverside car park. The police will be monitoring the situation, so if anyone does have problem they should report it to the Police. We are advised that there have been problems at the Meldreth car park. Anne & Mark Howard. Telephone 01223 503377

Trading Standards Residents are reminded to check ID We’d like to remind residents to be vigilant and always check the identification of anyone who calls at their door including those who say they are from Cambridgeshire County Council or Trading Standards. Council officers will usually ring and make an appointment first if they intend to call on someone. Council Officers always carry identification and will not be offended if you close the door on them whilst you verify who they are. You can call the County Council on 0345 045 5200 to check that they are a County Council Officer. Always leave the chain on the door when you are answering to someone you do not know, take any identification card and examine it thoroughly.

The best way you can avoid being duped is:

• •

•

Use GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) It is the easiest and most secure place to find government services and information online Instead of searching for the services you need via a search engine, go to GOV.UK and use the search function there. Then you’ll know you’re on the official site If you do use a search engine, look out for the differences between natural search results and paid-for search results.

National Trading Standards is issuing advice for consumers to beat the cyber con-artists, including a video guide at www.tradingstandardsecrime.org.uk/ copycat-web-site-crackdown-2 To report a misleading or copycat website, you can call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06. Cambridgeshire Council officers are warning residents of a website called www.parkingpermit.com offering to process Blue Badge applications for a charge of £49, plus the cost of a badge. It is not necessary to apply for a Blue Badge through any other website other than the official Government website on www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge or by calling the Cambridgeshire Blue Badge Service on 0345 045 5204. This is a free registration service with a Blue Badge from Cambridgeshire costing £9 for a new Blue Badge and £5 for a replacement.

Never employ tradesmen who call at your house uninvited. If you need a tradesman for any jobs big or small check out the ‘Buy with Confidence’ a Trading Standards sponsored group of traders. All of whom have been thoroughly checked before being allowed into the scheme. ‘Buy with Confidence’ can be found on the internet www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk, your local library or by calling Citizens Advice. Beware of copycat websites Trading Standards Officers at Cambridgeshire County Council are urging residents to beware of copycat websites imitating official government services online. These are designed to trick you into parting with your cash unnecessarily by charging for services that are provided cheaper or for free through official government channels. Ordering new passports, booking driving tests and renewing car tax discs are just some of the ways that people are unwittingly being left out-of-pocket by shrewd fraudsters who operate ‘copycat’ websites. Copycat websites tend to use similar design features to replicate the ‘look and feel’ of official service websites and often use URLs that include fragments such as ‘govuk’, ‘directgov’ or relevant organisation names to make them appear as official providers of certain services.

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MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL 30 High Street Melbourn SG8 6DZ Telephone: 01763 263303 ext. 3 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm (the office is closed between 1p–2pm

Minutes of Parish Council Meetings and Planning Committee meetings are available on the village website

Council news www.melbournpc.co.uk

Chairman Bob Tulloch 25 Hale Close, SG8 6ET Telephone 221373

Vice-Chairman Maureen Townsend 32 New Road, SG8 6BY Telephone 260959

Chair-Conservation Rosemary Gatward 94 High Street, SG8 6AL Telephone 261225

Chair-Cemeteries Mike Sherwen 3 Hale Close, SG8 6ET Telephone 260070

Michael Linnette 11 Chapel Lane, SG8 6BN Telephone 262534

Irene Bloomfield 78 Russet Way, SG8 6HF Telephone 222558

Val Barrett 2 Station Road, SG8 6DX Telephone 261227

Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way Telephone 260743

Chair-Highways Jose Hales 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH Telephone 221058

Chair-Planning Kimmi Crosby 20 Norgett’s Lane, SG8 6HS Telephone 261283

John Regan 10 Little Lane, SG8 6BU Telephone 264154

Julie Norman 31 Station Road, SG8 6DX Telephone 263462

From the Parish Clerk – Peter Horley As I write, the new facilities in the village continue to thrive: the Community Hub is well-used by residents visiting the café, there are more people using the library, and the rooms are being hired. I do, however, appeal to businesses and community groups alike to visit the Hub and see for themselves the rooms which can be hired to enhance your group/business sessions. It would be nice to see the Hub bubbling with people all day and well into the evenings. The Community Hub is managed by a Management Company limited by guarantee and all the directors are unpaid consisting of parish councillors and residents. Since the mammoth task of overseeing the construction and furnishing of the building has now been accomplished, several directors have stood down which gives a splendid opportunity for new people to come forward and join this exciting project and ensure its future success. We are looking for people with skills in finance, marketing, interpersonal and business acumen. If you fit the bill, please get in touch! In addition, the Hub cannot operate without volunteers and the present ones are doing a splendid job but, here again, we now need new volunteers to see that the operation works as smoothly as ever. The newly refurbished pavilion is attracting groups and individual residents alike and I urge you to go and see it so you don’t miss out when it comes to booking your event. BeActive Leisure, a not-for-profit company, is now managing the pavilion on behalf of the parish council and using its expertise to aid sport development throughout the village and the surrounding area. If you therefore wish to book the pavilion for your event/group then please do so at the Leisure Centre on the college site. If you are involved in a sporting activity or healthy lifestyle initiative which, at the moment, is unrepresented in the village, then why not get in touch with BeActive and see what they can do for you. The summer has been warm and fine but subject to mass downpours which has resulted in some issues concerning drainage. If you have issues with drainage please get in touch and I will pass it on to the authority which, in this case, is the County Council. We are all going to be affected by the resurfacing of the High Street which is due to take place on 25th November. Please pass any concerns on to me and I will try to take the appropriate action. I look forward to hearing from lots of new volunteers and residents who are eager to put themselves forward in the service of our village.

County Councillor’s Report Andrew Mulcock 1 The Lawns Close, SG8 6DR Telephone 222940

Tim Baker 18 Rose Lane, SG8 8AD Telephone 262700

County Councillor Susan van de Ven 95 North End, Meldreth, 261833 susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk. District Councillors Val Barrett, 2 Station Road, 261227 Jose Hales, 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH, 221058 cllr.hales@josehales.me.uk

Safety concerns for drivers on the A10: the two access/exit points for Melbourn residents along the A10 – the Frog End Shepreth junction and the Meldreth junction at the bypass – have seen tragic accidents of late and several families’ lives will have changed as a result. The Frog End junction has been an accident black spot for many years but has never climbed high enough on the list to trigger funding to make changes. I am due to meet with the Council’s Road Safety team shortly in order to explore all the possibilities for making improvements. Like most melbournmagazine

things in local government it is always a matter of figuring out a way through the system and finding a window of opportunity. Sadly there are a number of accident cluster sites in our area and the measures that people would like to see introduced are not always within reach. You may remember a few years ago when the A505 Flint Cross junction was altered as a result of accident patterns – this involved the re-profiling of the road and pavements, the introduction of ‘gateway’ features and the lowering of the speed limit. In any case, the accident patterns on the A10 demand safety improvements. Off-road A10 travel: Safety is the overwhelming factor in making it possible for pedestrians and cyclists to stay off the A10, and hence the focus on continuing to fight for funding to transform passage along the A10 for non-vehicular traffic. The one-mile stretch connecting Melbourn and Royston, a well-used corridor for people going to work, apprenticeships, training, shopping or to visit friends and relatives, sits on a county boundary and this has meant that it has never received the joined-up thinking required to crack the issue of safe passage for non-vehicular traffic. Neither Cambridgeshire nor Hertfordshire County Councils have the funds to address this problem, but by earnestly scouting out funding schemes run by the Department for Transport, it is possible to get something done. The A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign has been working closely with the two Councils, local businesses and Sustrans (the national charity that works to create safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists) and it has recently been announced that funding has been granted to create an off-road route connecting Melbourn and Royston. More needs to be done to create a safe way of getting across the A505 roundabout, which is in Hertfordshire, and therefore means we need to be working very hard with our colleagues there. New Train Operating Company: It’s great to report that thanks to the efforts of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group, and its very active Melbourn members, a good relationship is already in place with Govia, the

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new Train Operating Company that takes over from First Capital Connect in midSeptember. When the Department for Transport asked for views on what the new franchisee should provide in the way of basic service levels, the Rail User Group prepared a detailed list. One of our priorities was to retain the 16–18 student discount fare, which at 50% off the adult fare is considerably better than the national standard of 33%. The unique Cambridgeshire discount, negotiated specifically for Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton stations, will be taken up by Govia. This means that new and returning sixth formers, and those attending further education in Cambridgeshire, can continue to access this fare which on average has saved about £140 annually over the cost of a bus pass. For the start of the new academic year, which falls before the 14th September FCC-Govia hand-over date, this means going to the First Capital Connect website and following the links. The discounted fare can only be purchased on line – not at the station. Cam Sight’s work in the community: While the public services most people encounter every day receive, much attention in public forums, individual case work concerning, vulnerable people always offers an insight into how well things are, working – or not – behind the scenes., A huge concern is our aging population and the ability of the County, Council to look after an increasing number of vulnerable people., To take one example, over the age of 75, one in five people live, with sight loss, and over 90, one in two people are affected. Adding, in the rise in diabetes across the population, the number of people, who experience sight loss is expected to double by 2050. The rate, of depression for people with sight loss is estimated at 30-45%, compared with 12% for the sighted population; the rate of poverty, is higher too. The County Council provides a small but vital grant to Cam Sight, the Cambridgeshire charity that supports independence and wellbeing, for people with visual impairment. This takes many forms, but includes rural support groups where people meet for social, support and practical help on assistive technologies. There are also, meetings for specific age groups, from toddlers upward. Camsight, hosts a monthly meeting at Melbourn Vicarage Close Sheltered, Housing first Wednesdays, 2-4. Keeping this preventive care and, support network viable is critical against continuing budget cuts.

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group Our next meeting is 24th September, 7:30, at Foxton Village Hall. Everyone is welcome and it always helps champion the local cause when we have Melbourn people involved – our continuing efforts for disabled access, better cycle parking, etc. need continual lobbying. Govia have promised to attend this meeting and we are busy making our case that the £1.50 daily car park charge should not be compromised, and that it was established as a reciprocal gesture of thanks for the community gardening at the station. More at the Rail User Group webpage on the Melbourn Village website. railusergroup@gmail.com

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign The campaign meets next on 15th October, 7:00 for 7:30PM, in Royston – the venue is being worked out and will be posted on our website, a10corridorcycle.com. We’ll be talking no doubt about work in progress to connect Melbourn with Royston. This will be our AGM though we keep formalities to an efficient minimum and make sure we can devote most of our time to discussing ideas. All welcome! Thanks to everyone who supported the Awareness Ride on 18th May, which was a huge success. Once again, Phillimore Garden Centre provided a wonderful venue for our post-ride tea, with cakes made by the Teapot. JR Tech in Shepreth gave us a £200 grant to make sure everyone could tuck in without charge. The campaign group has teamed up with Cam Sight in tandem cycling. Cam Sight owns six tandem bicycles, and a sighted pilot rider can enable to visually impaired rider to get out and enjoy cycling. The person to contact is Joy Hallifax: joy@camsight.org.uk continued on page 25

feature An Invitation from the Meldreth & Melbourn Church Bell Ringers

Have you ever wondered how a church bell works? Have you ever wanted to chime a bell? If so, why not come along to our Tower Open Day in Meldreth at Holy Trinity Church on 27th September? We are organising a day of fun and frolics, and a lot of ringing, to launch an appeal for the restoration of the Meldreth tower bells. The tower will be open from 11am until 5pm. The day will include a chance for both adults and children to try out a demonstration bell being brought in especially for the occasion, or you can just sit and enjoy listening to some fantastic ringing while you have a cup of tea! Entrance is free. But what do church bells mean to you? Would you miss them if they were no longer rung? The bells of Melbourn and Meldreth ring out for many events in the life of the country, the village and the Church. The bells call parishioners to services, but they are also rung to mark births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, and national celebrations and centenaries. In recent years, local ringers have rung for the birth of Prince George, the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diamond Jubilee, the Centenary of Meldreth village school and the start of the 2012 Olympic games; as well as ringing in the New Year.

Meldreth regularly welcomes visiting bands to ring peals on the bells, which involves a non-stop performance by a team of eight ringers that lasts approximately 2hours 45 minutes, a task requiring stamina, concentration and mental agility. The first peal at Holy Trinity was rung in 1938, when there were only five bells in the tower, but in the years since then, many of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading ringers have come to ring in Meldreth. Tower Captain, John Gipson, has himself rung a formidable 1669 peals on the bells, in a peal-ringing career lasting from 1939 until 2012. During the last sixty years or so, there have been more than 12000 hours of ringing, with each bell ringing at least 20 million times. We are now in the position where more peals have been rung in Meldreth than in any other church tower anywhere in the world! Perhaps unsurprisingly, the bells are now showing signs of wear and are becoming progressively harder to ring. Detailed reports have shown that the bells are in need of major restoration. This is currently scheduled to take place early 2015, when the bells will be removed from the tower and sent to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry to be cleaned and re-tuned. The bells will then be re-hung in a new frame, with new headstocks, fixtures and fittings, leaving them in a first-class condition, ready to continue ringing for the rest of the 21st century. If you would like to know more about either the history of the bells or the restoration project, please visit our website at www.meldrethchurch.org.uk/bells/appeal. In the meantime, we hope to see you at Meldreth on 27th September when ringers will be on hand to answer any questions you might have on bell ringing and the restoration project. melbournmagazine

ESSE Retail & Therapy Free Parking Available at Sheene Mill Opposite or our Private Car Park Next Door

Where Else Can you Shop, Keep Fit and be Pampered? 24

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30 Station Road Melbourn Cambridge SG8 6DX Telephone: 01763 261000 Email: info@esse.uk.com

12 Things Men Do Differently To Women Eating Out: When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in £20, even though it’s only for £32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators. Money: A man will pay £2 for a £1 item he needs. A woman will pay £1 for a £2 item that she doesn’t need, but is on sale. Bathrooms: A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shampoo, soap and a towel. The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items. Arguments: A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument. Future: A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife. Success: A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. Marriage: A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t. A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does. Dressing Up: A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals. Natural: Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night. Offspring: A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house. Thought Of The Day: A married man should forget his mistakes. There’s no use in two people remembering the same thing.

If you would like to join or find out more about the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign, please get in touch via our website: www.a10corridorcycle.com. Susan van de Ven, Tel 261833, or contacta10cycle@gmail.com Drop-in surgery: We hold a drop-in surgery on the first Monday of the month (except August), 2:30–3:30, at the Melbourn Hub. If this is inconvenient and you’d like to meet at another time or closer to home please let us know. Cllr Jose Hales, jose@josehales.me.uk, Tel 221058 Cllr Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk, Tel 261833

Stepping Stones I favour this one The Stepping Stones project supports disabled people aged 14–25 to access sports activities in Cambridgeshire. This can be as a participant, coach, official or volunteer. All you need to do is call and we will do the research and match you with a local provider. We provide the necessary support to the club to enable you to participate, and can help access funding to engage you in the activities.

• Eligibility: Disabled people aged 14-25 • Referral: Young people can self-refer • Costs: Club membership fees Telephone: 01223 301756 steppingstone@cambridgeshire. gov.uk

Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums Melbourn Detachment (opposite the Village College) Monday 7pm–9pm 12–18 years (and in year 8)

Looking for Fun and Adventure? Want to learn to play a Musical Instrument: Flute, Drum or Bugle? Be part of a Marching Corps of Drums. Telephone 07840899565 email jrshaw@virginmedia.com www.cambsacf.com melbournmagazine

‘The Flintstones’ Save Christmas Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society (MADS) Presents Christmas Pantomime 2014 5th, 6th & 7th DECEMBER Meldreth Village Hall To book tickets online go to: www.melbournamdram.co.uk Or call 07513457845

Fundraising Quiz Night Saturday 20th September Meldreth Village Hall, 7.00pm start Tickets £10 to include Fish ‘n’ Chip supper To book tickets call: 07513457845 (teams of 6 per table) Licenced bar

PC Repairs Advice & Installation of Home Networks Help with Selecting a Computer Fault Finding Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole) E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards A4/A3 laminating • A4 comb-binding Small print runs on A6 to A3 media

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Profile Marjorie Shaw Marjorie Worne was born just before the second World War, at Walmer near Deal in Kent where her father, a Royal Marine, was based. Three years later, during an air raid, her sister was born and shortly afterwards the family moved to Ditton near Maidstone. Marjorie went to the local village school and later to Technical School where she was determined to become a chartered accountant. She had already got a prospective job lined up to start training when she had a change of heart and decided to become a teacher. She trained at St Hilda’s College Durham and her first teaching practice; where she taught everything except science; was in a mining village – it was like being in a foreign country! On qualifying at the age of 20 she got a job at Royston Secondary School (now Greenway) teaching needlework. Lodging for a while in Garden Walk she soon became friendly with Carol Wedd from Melbourn whose aunt Betty Moore let out rooms. In April 1960 she moved into Melbourn with Mrs. Moore, her room at Eccleston House in the High Street was one of those with the bottle glass windows (you can still see them). She travelled to Royston daily on the back of a colleague’s Lambretta. Betty had a mushroom farm behind the house and Marjorie learned to like eating mushrooms with every meal! One year Marjorie and two other teachers took a party of schoolchildren to Switzerland and Austria, staying in Youth Hostels. The sleeping arrangements were somewhat primitive – all the females in the party sleeping in a row on a rolled out foam sheet and the boys down below on straw palliasses. There was one bowl for washing – cold water only – but the food was good and they had a great trip. At this time, about 1961, the Village College started holding regular Folk Dancing evenings and one Saturday, when she had spent the morning escorting the school netball team to Stevenage and then gone into Cambridge, her friend asked her to go along to the folk dance. She was really too tired and refused, but was eventually persuaded to go and it was there she met Terry Shaw – a Cambridge boy recently back from doing his National Service in Singapore. They shared the same interests and before long they became engaged, getting married in 1963. Terry had always wanted to build his own timber house and they searched for a plot - to no avail. They looked at no. 4 Spencer Drive which was for sale but could not afford it and settled on a chalet bungalow in Hale Close – it looked rather like the house Terry had hoped to build! Marjorie gave up teaching before Ian was born in 1965, followed by Carolynn in 1967. The two bedroomed house was no longer large enough so they advertised the house privately in the Cambridge Evening News – and that very same evening no 4 was also advertised for sale. Serendipity. With an immediate cash buyer for Hale Close they were able to buy the house in Spencer Drive and have been there ever since. Judy was born in 1969 making their family complete.

Marjorie had started teaching needlework at MVC evening classes, first one and then three classes a week and has always made clothes for the family. With the girls at Peggy Valentine’s ballet class she made costumes for the shows they put on and when the girls got married she made all the wedding dresses. Not only that, she dressed dolls in miniature copies of the dresses and put them under a glass bell – a lovely souvenir. Waiting one day for the girls to come out of ballet, Ron Peer approached her and asked if she would consider teaching at day school. She pointed to four year old Judy and said she couldn’t possibly leave her, whereupon Ron Peer suggested that Judy accompanied her mother to class. It couldn’t happen now! Marjorie gradually increased her hours and stayed at MVC until the early 80’s when she decided she had had enough of teaching and needed a change. She saw an advertisement for selling and giving tutorials for Brother Sewing Machines in Robert Sayle and impulsively applied for the job. She loved dealing with the public but became frustrated that, as a Brother employee, she could not participate fully in the JL Partnership work, so she approached the M.D and asked if she could join the Partnership. Leaving Brother, she worked for a few months in Haberdashery and then moved to Audio and TV, where she had to brush up her technical skills to sell videos and televisions. She was glad to move to Furnishing Fabrics where she felt more at home. She had always been a very keen photographer, as a girl her father had promised her a Kodak Retinette 1A for her 21st birthday. Sadly he died before then but her mother honoured the promise and that set her off on an interest which still takes up a great deal of her life. Her mother had also been a photographer – in fact, during the war whilst taking photographs of her two daughters on the beach at Deal her camera had been confiscated as the police thought she might be a spy!

Terry and Marjorie Shaw

You must have seen some of Marjorie’s Melbourn Calendars with their beautiful shots of the village. This came about by accident. She offered to make a calendar to be used as a raffle prize, one or two people saw it and asked if they too could have one. Mary Woodcock saw a copy at Coffee Stop and suggested Marjorie might produce a village calendar annually and sell it. Marjorie gives all profit to SOAS. As well as the calendars Marjorie makes delightful cards featuring high quality flower photographs as well as local scenes. Her photographs have been used in the Ramblers Worldwide Holidays brochures – she and Terry are very keen walkers. Other interests have been sailing – Terry built his own Prout Swift catamaran and they belonged to the Hickling Broad Sailing Club. John Lewis owned 5 yachts in The Hamble and each branch had a chance to sail for so many weekends per year. All the equipment was supplied, including waterproofs, food and the fuel to get to and from the coast. Recognising Marjorie’s dedication they were given a trip to Clyndebourne all expenses paid. Unfortunately after 13½ years she developed an allergy to the formaldehyde used in the flame retardant finish on fabrics and after a brief spell in stock accounting she retired. But not to rest – as a member of the Retired Partners Club she heard the archivist Judy Faraday give a talk to the Club after which a group of them began researching the Robert Sayle store. The shop opened in 1840 and, as you will have read in previous issues, Marjorie has really got her teeth into the history of the store and working on the website. £25 for the weekend they enjoyed sailing with the opportunity to enhance their expertise. The couple were also founder members of the Robert Sayle Rambling Club which ran from 1987 to 2008, when 7 day trading put an end to any group being able to go out together. All three children are married with 7 children between them and Marjorie and Terry are very hands-on grandparents. When I did this interview 11 year old twins Dominic and Alix were staying – Dominic and Terry were busy in the workshop making a small wooden house for Dumblies and Alix was making a cake. Terry worked for 36 years with Grant Instruments as a design engineer and now in his retirement does sterling work round the Community Hall caring for the car park and plants. They both do yoga and have kept up the interest in folk dancing which brought them together. Marjorie still keeps up her connection with MVC working as an invigilator. They have a full and busy life – and Marjorie always has a camera handy!

melbournmagazine

feature A crazy language!!

The English language has an extremely diverse history, and its development into a full-fledged tongue has been influenced by many other languages, Celtic, German, French, Spanish, Latin, Indian and Arabic to name but a few. Its ability to adapt, means that it is a language that is constantly changing and growing. Approximately 1000 new entries are added to the Oxford Dictionary Online every year. It is also growing in popularity, as defined by the number of people who speak it. As the official language, English is spoken in 88 countries worldwide, with over 400 million people using English as their first language. Yet they are outnumbered by three-to-one by those for whom it has become their first or second language – and that number is growing. There are estimated to be over 700 million students learning English as a foreign language. These numbers combined, mean there are over 2200 million people speaking English, representing nearly a third of the entire world’s population. Business and trade throughout the world is often conducted in English and in the science world nearly all scientific publications, papers and submissions are in English. With the advent of outsourcing, such as banking, telephone operations and computer services, many companies are now based in India, the Philippines and South America where employees must speak fluent English. Television and films are amongst the biggest influences in English language learning. Often shown with subtitles, they have become one of the biggest educational aids in the modern world. English is a rich and colourful language and is without doubt one of the most expressive languages, yet to some, it is an odd, if not difficult language to comprehend – and it’s not surprising! There are over 2 billion* recorded words and with a vast variety of accents and dialects all offering their own unique words, there are likely to be countless words in use which will never be recorded. However, the average person is likely to know only about 50,000 in their vocabulary. Most native-English speaking countries have their own assortment of accents and dialects. In Britain there are over 60. There are the well known, such as Cockney from London, Brummie from the Midlands and Scouse/Geordie from the North East. Yet in the North East (from Yorkshire, to Cumbria) there are over 15 known different accents. In East Anglia there are the very distinct Norfolk, Suffolk and Fenland accents. Locally we even have the Cambridge accent. This is not the old Cambridge Academic accent, but a mix of Essex (London) and Cambridge, known to some as the ‘posh Essex’. In Scotland there are around 7 known accents and in Wales there are three. In North America including Canada, Central and South America there are at least 80 different accents/dialects. In Asia and Australia there are around fifty. With such a diversity of the accents, dialects and mix

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of words it is easy to see why English is one of the most descriptive languages. In Britain, you would leave your ‘flat’ and put your picnic in the ‘boot’ of your car, whereas in the US, you would leave your ‘apartment’ and put the picnic in the ‘trunk’! In many countries the dialect often includes words from other languages. In Singapore for example ‘Singlish’ is a combination of English, Chinese and Malay. In India there are 11 different accents/dialects including Malay-alee English and it is from India(n) that many words have come to enrich the English language. Every day words such as jungle, tank, bungalow and verandah and Anglo-Indian words such as, tiffin, hill station and gymkhana, all found their way into the English language from the days of the British Empire. As a native-speaker, statements such as ‘the bandage was wound around the wound’ or ’the farm was used to produce produce’, are unlikely to cause us too many problems, but it must be very confusing for those first starting to learn the language. Other examples include: We must polish the polish furniture; The soldier decided to desert in the desert and left his dessert behind; Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present, the present, When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes; I did not object to the object; The insurance was invalid for the invalid; There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row; They were too close to the door to close it; A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line; How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend? And how do we explain why the combination ‘ough’ can be pronounced in nine different ways. For example: ‘A roughcoated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling into a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed.’ It must be rather rough to be addressed as Reverend Ough. Or do you politely cough and say, ‘No, I pronounce it Ough’? Yet if you lived in Slough you’d be known as Reverend Ough. While the priest by Irish lough is addressed as Father Ough. But I rather think it, though, that you’re simply known as Ough. Still, I think I’ve said enough Mr. Oh, Ow, Ock or Uff. The two-letter word UP possibly has more meanings than any other two-letter word. It’s easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP or we are asked to speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why continued on page 30

Little Hands Karen

MVC EDUCATION

U3A

PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP

PRIMARY SCHOOL LITTLE HANDS VILLAGE COLLEGE

Melbourn Playgroup

01763 260964

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512 Notre Ecole Janet Whitton

261231

Pippins Children’s Centre Alison Wood

223460

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman George Howard

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Village College Principal Simon Holmes

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This term at Melbourn Playgroup has been a busy and successful one. We say goodbye to the older children and wish them the best of luck in their reception year at school. We welcome our new children from September. As the Tour de France travelled through our region we celebrated by tasting French foods such as brioche and croissants. We also coloured in French flags and racing jerseys. The most exciting activity was that we made a race track in the garden and the children drove around it on bikes. We all had a whale of a time! With the beautiful summer weather we have been learning lots about meadows. We looked at flowers, trees and insects. The children have thoroughly enjoyed looking more closely at insects we have found within the school grounds. We then continued this work on insects back in the classroom. In the new term we hope to be able to expand our space to give the children an even more exciting, stimulating learning environment. More news on this to follow! If you want to know more about us or enquire about spaces for your child please contact Jane Crawford on 01763 223459 or email office@melbournplaygroup.org. uk or even visit the website on www.melbournplaygroup.org.uk

Melbourn Primary School Parents, Friends and Teachers Association Melbourn Primary School PTFA are thrilled to announce that new play equipment is a step closer thanks to the generosity and support of parents and friends of Melbourn Primary School. As this academic year draws to a close, the fund balance is in excess of £10,000, which means that installation of a new climbing frame for Key Stage 1 pupils is on track for completion early in the next school year. PTFA Chair Sian Bolitho said, “Events like May’s Spring Fayre and our annual firework display have really delivered. The support we get from our parents and Melbourn Playgroup - Oscar- drawing a caterpillar friends has been outstanding and this means that we can afford a wonderful after investigating insects in our garden climbing facility to keep the kids active during their break times”. Fundraising goes on unabated, however, with plans in place for this year’s firework display already underway on 8th November. The ever-popular BBQ, refreshments and doughnuts will be available. Glo-Sticks will be on sale too, to complement the fireworks display promising one of the most colourful nights of the calendar. Sian added, “Our next target is to provide an exciting piece of climbing equipment for KS2 to give our older children something challenging at break time”. Following the success of last year’s inaugural Melbourn Ball, the PTFA have set the wheels in motion for a successor, which is tentatively planned for the middle of September 2015. Sian said, “The 2013 Ball was incredible and we’re hoping to see more of Melbourn dressed-up and turned-out next September”. For further information, your PTFA press contact is Russell Foulger on 07956 Melbourn Playgroup - Poppy riding a bike 107690 or russell.foulger@ntlworld.com around the Tour de France track we made melbournmagazine

is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers or clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. The word UP in the dictionary takes UP nearly a quarter of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special. A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.  We open UP a store in the morning, but we close it UP at night. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP, but then when the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP. When it doesn’t rain for awhile, things dry UP. You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, or you fill in a form by filling it out and an alarm goes off by going on. And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. Amazing as the English Language is, it is even more amazing that not just those who are learning English as a second language, but our own children, are able to take it all in – eventually.

Did you know?...

Little Hands is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality education for the under fives and offers Flexible hourly booking - open 08.30 to 16.30 Term time bookings with optional holiday club Bumble Bee room for children 12 – 24 months Ladybird room for 2 year olds Butterfly room for children 3-5 years With optional “ready for school sessions” Holiday club for children aged 12 months to 8 years All sessions have a high staff to child ratio and are available for funded 2 year olds and funded 3/4 year olds with no extra charges Categorised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted For further information please contact Anne McCrossen - Nursery Manager : 01763 260964 e-mail lh-melbourn@btconnect.com Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk

• The dot on top of the lower case ‘i’ or a ‘j’ is called a ‘tittle’. • The only two words that end ‘-gry’ are ‘hungry’ and ‘angry’. • The most commonly used sentence using all of the letters • • • • • • • •

in the alphabet and known to many learning to type is ‘the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dogs’. This is known as a ‘pangram’ from the Greek for ‘all letters’. The longest word of a single syllable is ‘Screeched’, which means ‘shrieked’ or ‘cried out shrilly’. The longest word with no vowels is ‘Rhythms’. The longest word with all its letters in alphabetical order is ‘aegilops.’ A genus of flowering plants in the grass family. It is estimated that a new word is created every 98 minutes. ‘You’ is the 18th most common word in English, while ‘me’ only clocks in at number 50. Apparently, the oldest known word in English is ‘who,’ dating back more than 20,000 years. The longest word containing no repeating letters, including every vowel, is ‘uncopyrightable,’ at 15 letters. The only English term ending in -mt is ‘dreamt,’ a spelling of ‘dreamed’ commonly used in British English. Author Ernest Vincent Wright once wrote an entire novel with just over 50,000 words, without using the letter ‘e’.

Peter Simmonett Thanks to Anne Lambert for kickstarting this article, by sending the information on the UP. *The 20-volume historical Oxford English Dictionary is the largest record of words used in English, past and present. It contains words that are now obsolete or rare.

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Riding For The Disabled Association Incorporating Driving Iceni Group Riding for the Disabled Walk beside a child or lead a pony We desperately need your help at the South Cambridgeshire Equestrian Centre Barrington On Tuesday’s 9.45–11.45am In term time only Please contact Diana Allan 01638 572044 or Thalia Myers 07850 477550

Melbourn Village College Education Matters Number 10 Downing Street might best be described as rather like the Tardis. It does not look especially large from the outside. However, it is remarkably big on the inside. Going up the stairs lined with former Prime Ministers, a suite of rooms presents itself. The largest of these is capable of accommodating a significant number of people. This was just as well for our function as there were perhaps 200 of us present to celebrate “Excellence in State Education”. David Cameron had invited leaders from selected state schools across the country to acknowledge excellence in the state school system. I was invited to represent Comberton Village College and the Comberton Academy Trust because both the school and the Trust were deemed to be among the very best in the country and worthy of celebration. The criteria for this were a mixture of long-standing high achievement, consistent ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection judgements and a significant role in contributing to improving the performance of other schools. Comberton clearly met all the criteria. David Cameron spoke, as usual, with no notes. In essence, he confirmed the hugely positive effect that all of these factors can have on pupils and thanked all those present for their work in providing inspiration to the young people of our country. It was a fair message and it was good that Comberton’s role and excellence were appropriately acknowledged in this way. The Prime Minister followed up with a letter in which he said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to education in this country. State education in England is going from strength to strength, but that would not be possible without the work of people like you.” “It speaks volumes that the Head Teacher of King’s College Wimbledon, a top independent school, recently pointed out that for the first time in his career, independent schools are experiencing real competition from state schools.” Stephen Munday, Executive Principal

21st Century Learning On Monday 23rd ninety Year 5 children from five local primary schools mixed with sixty Year 7 students to learn about being Digital Leaders. A team from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), led by digital pedagogy expert Andy Williams, ran sessions looking at key questions surrounding the use of digital technology in supporting learning in school. Children created blog entries and presentations which were shared with parents in an evening event at the college. The event was supported by local educational publisher George Pearson, who said “It was a pleasure to be involved in such a forward thinking event and to work with such technologically aware students” Principal Simon Holmes said ‘It has been fascinating to engage the students in telling us what they think 21st century learning should look like. Schools need to ensure they make best use of the skills they bring and the possibilities that new technologies offer us’.

Somme Visit June 2014 with funding from ‘A Common Territory’ and support from All Saints’ Church and local historian Bruce Huett, one hundred and twenty students from Melbourn Village College visited the French battlefields for five days. This visit was the largest foreign trip in the College’s history and because of the ACT funding was completely free to the students who took part. The purpose of the visit was twofold; firstly to understand the importance of the First World War as an historical event and the connection to our local community. Secondly we were part of a much larger community through the five million Euro ACT project which is an innovative cross-border collaboration between leading arts and education partners from France and England and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund Interreg IV A France (Channel) England Programme. Led by the Orchestre de Picardie, the partners in this network are The Purcell Singers, Brighton Festival Chorus, Opera de Rouen Haute Normandie, Comedie de Picardie, Cie ECO, Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne, Royal Opera House Education, Southend YMCA, The Gateway Learning Community, University of the Creative Arts, Thurrock Music Services and Melbourn Village College. Students visited the Somme 1916 Museum at Albert, melbournmagazine

Home cooked food using only the best local ingredients. Individual care and support for each and every child and their families. Large, fun outdoor playgrounds and fields for the children to explore, to run, skip and jump.

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Lochnagar Crater, Thiepval Museum for the Missing, the Newfoundland Memorial, Rancourt Military Cemetery, Historial de la Grande Guerre, Amiens Cathedral as well as meeting with our colleagues in Picardie and attending the Menin Gate ceremony in Ypres. Farrah commented “when we went down to Lochnagar we sketched either the crater or the large wooden cross, but it was the panorama of the site that made the most impact on me, the crater was vast. Seeing this and the century old trenches were the things that made me think the most”. Jack remembered the Newfoundland Memorial “walking through the trenches in the memorial was emotional: every crater and mark on the land had been preserved. In this small area 86% of the Newfoundland regiment were taken as casualties. It had been a struggle for the people to raise so many men – they were all volunteers. It had only taken a few minutes and two thousand metres for so many women back home to become widows or for families to lose a son. The names of these men, or boys as some were under the age of sixteen, carved into the memorial almost brought me to tears. The countryside all around had the wounds of a century old conflict scarred into their fields and farms, their villages and minds forever.” Others were struck by the Thiepval Memorial where several Melbourn men were inscribed, “it was a very emotional moment” said one student. Another commented, “I’ll never forget the huge arch with so many names and I think it’s right that the people of Melbourn and the world never forget”.

One Million Crosses To link with the World War 1 commemorations and to get an idea of the scale of the loss of life during this war students at Melbourn Village College were asked in registration time over a week to each mark crosses and completely cover two pages of A4 squared paper. Each student would then have marked 2400 crosses. An assembly was then held with all students bringing their sheets and raising them so that everyone could see the

huge numbers involved. The total of all the crosses on all the sheets of paper was close to 1,000,000. In fact the sight of the 1,000,000 crosses raised by the students would have needed to be replicated in another seven schools if the total number of casualties were to be accurately shown but it did give students an idea of the enormous scale of the cost in lives involved. This activity was only part of the college’s commemorations, which led up to the year 8 and 9 trip to the battlefields of France.

WW1 COMMEMORATIONS As part of our work on the ACT (A Common Territory) project, Year 7 looked at the 1914 Christmas Truce. We all know that Christmas is meant to be a time of peace and goodwill to all men, a task that is almost impossible in a war situation. However, the true spirit of Christmas won through and those who had been shooting at each other just the day before shared food, cigarettes and proudly showed pictures of loved ones they had left behind. This also led to, in at least one area of the frontline, a famous football match with people who were no longer the faceless enemy but a soldier, a human being, both groups believing that right was continued on page 39

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Village information IMPORTANT NUMBERS Orchard Surgery Appointments & Dispensary 260220 For repeat prescriptions send email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net

EDUCATION

Royston Family History Society Pam Wright

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford

269956

Library LAP Mike Stapleton

260964

Little Hands Nursery School Out of school times

Hospitals Addenbrooke’s Royston

07842 151512

01223 245151 01763 238020

OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES 01223 464242 Camdoc 0845 4647 NHS Direct (queries 24hrs)

01223 503972

Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231 Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman George Howard

260686

Hon Sec Hilary Docwra

222486

Mem Sec Arthur Alderton 260399 Village College Principal Simon Holmes 223400

101

Police (non emergency)

Fire & Rescue Service 01223 376217 Crimestoppers Freephone

0800 555111

HEALTH Age UK Cambridgeshire Blood Donors

01223 221921

0300 123 23 23

Neighbourhood Watch 261520 Steven Cambery s.cambery@ntlworld.com

Chiropodist Dentist

262034

Cambs Registered Trader Sceme 01223 221921

District Nurses (Primary Care Trust)

01223 846122

Telephone Preference Service www.tsponline.org.uk 0845 070 0707 Dial-A-Ride CAB Royston

263260

Home-Start

262262

S Cambs PCT 35 Orchard Road Child & Family Nurses

262861

Car Scheme

245228

01223 506335

Osteopath Kath Harry 261716

08456 889897

St John Ambulance Robert Jakubiak 220507

Childline

0800 1111

Samaritans Services Anglian Water Gas emergency Electricity South Cambs District

08457 909090

Air Cadets 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron 08457 145 145 0800 111 999 08007 838838

08457 484950 08706 082608

The Press Royston & Buntingford Mercury Media Centre, 40 Ware Road, 01992 526639 Hertford, SG13 7HU Royston Crow 6, Melbourn St, Royston, SG8 7BX

07557 232154

249156

Tony Kelly Mon & Wed evenings 7 – 9.30 p.m. Bellringers Barbara Mitchell 261518 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows

Transport British Rail Enquiries Stagecoach Cambus

Abigail Roberts 261505

Brownies 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe (Brown Owl) 261400 CATalyst

0774 953 0112

Dramatic Society Kathy Wholley

223805

email: k_wholley@hotmail.com Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Stuart Morris 208634 Gardening Helen Powell 245887 Guides 1st Melbourn Hilary Marsh 261443

Cambridge News 3 Melbourn Street, 249144 Fax 244502 Royston, SG8 7BP

Thursday Luncheon Club at Vicarage Close Nikki & Julie

07599292327

Mothers’ Union Pauline Hay 260649

Melbourn Magazine Committee Editorial

Ann Dekkers

261144

Advertising

Jan Simmonett

220363

Distribution

Jose Hales

Information

221398

Royston Lions Janet Daniels

260009

RSPB Doug Radford

208978

SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) Doreen Johnston 220197 St George’s Allotments Assoc. Bruce Huett

brucehuett@compuserve.com

Women’s Group Pat Smith 260103

PLACES OF WORSHIP All Saints’ Church Rev Andrew O’Brien Melbourn Vicarage

260295

Curate Mary Price

261569

Churchwardens Roger Mellor 220463

260127

Mike Galley

Community Hall booking Sandie Springall 223320

hallbookings@live.co.uk

Baptist Church Rev. Stuart Clarke Secretary Guy Manners

261650 01223 872298

United Reformed Church Minister Rev. Duncan Goldie 260747 Secretary Peter and Eirwen Karner

262346

Hall booking Beryl and Barry Monk 246458

SPORT Badminton Steve Jackson

LOCAL CLUBS

frierly@ntlworld.com

Royston and District Round Table

248774

Bowls Elaine Cooke 221571 Croquet Janet Pope

248342

Jazzercise Sarah Howard

07703 422394

Judo Derek Coult

225004

MADS (Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society) 232622

Donna Sleight Melbourn and District Tennis Club David Liddiard

07508 995781

Melbourn Dynamos FC Gordon Atalker 07770533249 Melbourn Football Club Simon Gascoyne 261703 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack

263313

Meldreth Tennis Club Sue Davies

220174

Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593 Squash Club Nick Sugden 261064

WARDEN & SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEMES

Melbourn History Group Ann Dekkers 261144

Dial-A-Ride

Melbourn Mushroom Club John Holden

Mobile Warden Scheme

01223 506335

email: frog.end@virgin.net

Warden – Margo Wherrell 260966

01223 207307

Deputy – Jeannie Seers 262651

Melbourn Pottery Club Maggie

Assistant – Joy Hyde

221058

Meldreth Local History Kathryn Betts 268428

John Impey Way Jeanette Holland 269596

Eric Johnston

National Trust Colin Limming 260072

220197

New Melbourn Singers Adrian Jacobs 243224

Southwell Court

262121

Anne Lambert

261480

Photographic Club Bruce Huett

Moorlands Denise Taylor

260564

Parish Profile

Mavis Howard

260686

Ramblers Dave Allard 242677

Vicarage Close Warden Eileen Allan

263389

Production

Peter Simmonett

220363

Royal British Legion Women Elizabeth Murphy 220841

Lead Sheltered Housing Officer - Monday to Friday 9–1.30

Proof reading

Brenda Meliniotis

261154

Royal National Lifeboat Institution Jean Emes 245958

Vicarage Close, John Impey Way & Elin Way

Colin Limming

260072

Royston and District Local History Society

Eileen Allan

Village Diary

Brenda Meliniotis

261154

David Allard

232855

242677

220139

Mobile 07876 791419 / 245402

Every other week. 9–5 Monday to Friday

melbournmagazine

SEPTEMBER Monday 1

Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday at Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693 Wednesday 3

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30

Friday 19

Friday 3

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Coffee URC 10.30am

Royston Arts Festival until 28th September

Melbourn & Meldreth Harvest Supper Meldreth

Bottisham Beer Festival until 26th September Homestart ‘A Taste of India’ Foxton Village Hall contact 262262 for details

Village Hall Saturday 4

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Saturday 20

Cambridgeshire Carers Away Day – see article

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Sunday 5

Sunday 21

Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am Evensong 6.30pm

Holy Communion 8am Family Service 11am All Saints

Holy Communion URC 11.00am

Baptist Communion Service 6pm

Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm

Coffee at URC 10.30am

URC Harvest Festival 11am & Songs of Praise 5pm

Monday 6

Saturday 6

Tuesday 23

Poetry Workshop The Hub 2-4pm (10weeks)

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Thursday 4

New term begins Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Friday 5

Sunday 7

Holy Communion 8am Evensong 6.30pm All Saints Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm URC Communion Service 11am Tuesday 9

Women’s Group Meldreth 7.45pm Wednesday 24

Baptist Craft Club 9.30 – Coffee Break 10.30am British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7pm Harvest Supper

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Mothers Union Fowlmere Church Hall 2pm DIY Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm

Meldreth, Shepreth & Foxton Rail Users Group Foxton

Wednesday 10

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Baptist Craft Club 9.30 (TT) – Coffee Break 10.30am Hub Club Lunch 12.30pm

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Thursday 11

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Saturday 27

Friday 12

Coffee at URC 10.30am Saturday 13

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Mobile Wardens Stall Sunday 14

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am URC Service 11am

Village Hall 7.30pm Thursday 25

Friday 26

Coffee Stop All Saints 10.30am The Bookshelf Meldreth Tower Open Day 11-5pm Sunday 28

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am URC Service 11am Monday 29

MVC Open Evening (school closed during the day)

Melbourn Bridge Club weekly at Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693 Tuesday 7

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT) Melbourn & District Photographic Club weekly at Foxton contact Bruce Huett 232855 Wednesday 8

Baptist Craft Club 9.30am (TT) – Coffee Break 10.30am Hub Club Lunch 12.30pm Reflective Service URC 7pm Thursday 9

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Friday 10

Coffee at URC10.30am Saturday 11

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 12

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am URC Service 11.00am Monday 13

Poetry Workshop The Hub 2-4pm

Monday 15

Tuesday 30

Tuesday 14

Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am TT

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT)

Tuesday 16

OCTOBER

Mother’s Union 2pm Steeple Morden Village Hall Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Melbourn & District Photographic Club weekly until April Foxton Village Hall 7.30pm contact Bruce Huett 232855

Wednesday 1

Wednesday 15

Baptist Craft Club 9.30am (TT) – Coffee Break 10.30am

Wednesday 17

Thursday 2

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am-12

Baptist Craft Club 9.30 (TT) – Coffee Break 10.30am

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign AGM Royston 7pm

Thursday 18

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Thursday 16

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Royston & District Local History Soc. Royston Town Hall 8pm

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Friday 17

Monday 3

Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm

Coffee URC 10.30am

Poetry workshop The Hub 2-4pm Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693

Tuesday 18

Tuesday 4

Craft Club 9.30am (TT) – Coffee Brea 10.30am

Saturday 18

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf Sunday 19

Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am Family Service 11.00am URC Service 11.00am

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Melbourn & District Photographic Club Foxton Village Hall every Tuesday 7.30pm contact Bruce Huett 232855

Baptist Communion Service 10.30am

Wednesday 5

Monday 20

Craft Club 9.30am (TT) followed by Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Poetry Workshop The Hub 2-4pm Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm Tuesday 21

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT) Wednesday 22

Baptist Craft Club (TT) – Coffee Break 10.30am Royal British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close AGM 7pm Thursday 23

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Thursday 6

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Royston & District Local History Society Royston Town Hall 8pm Friday 7

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 8

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 9

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Village Remembrance Service All Saints 10.45am Meldreth History Group World War 1 exhibition 10am – 12.30pm. See page 51.

Saturday 25

Monday 10

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Poetry Workshop The Hub 2-4pm

Valuation Day with Thomas Plant ASCH 11-4pm

Tuesday 11

Friday 24

Sunday 26

URC Service 11.00am

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Mothers’ Union ASCH 2pm AGM Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm

Tuesday 28

Wednesday 12

Women’s Group Melbourn 7.45pm Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am-12

Craft Club 9.30am (TT) – Coffee Break 10.30am Hub Club Lunch 12.30pm Reflective Service URC 7pm

Thursday 30

Thursday 13

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Holy Communion All Saints 10.00am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Friday 31

Friday 14

Coffee URC 10.30am

Coffee URC 10.30am Foxton Art Exhibition until Sunday 16th

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am

Wednesday 29

Churches Together Light Party Baptist Church

NOVEMBER

Saturday 15

All Saints Christmas Bazaar (no Coffee Stop) 11am–3pm

Saturday 1

Sunday 16

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Service for All Souls All Saints 6.30pm

Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am & Family Service All Saints 11.00am URC Service 11.00am Shoebox Sunday Baptist Communion Service 10.30am

URC Service 11.00am

Monday 17

Baptist Communion 6pm

Poetry Workshop The Hub 2-4pm

Sunday 2

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am

We shall be pleased to receive contributions in any form, articles, poems, drawings, photographs, letters etc., pertaining to Melbourn. Please send any contributions to the Editor, at 110 High Street, Melbourn, marking them ‘MELBOURN MAGAZINE’ or you can email them to mag@melbourn.org.uk

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT) Wednesday 19 Thursday 20

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Friday 21

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 22

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 23

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am URC Service 11.00am Monday 24

Poetry Workshop The Hub 2-4pm Tuesday 25

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT) Women’s Group Meldreth Wednesday 26

Craft Club 9.30am (TT) – Coffee Break 10.30am British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7pm Thursday 27

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Friday 28

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 29

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival Sunday 30

Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival Family Communion All Saints 9.45am URC Service 11.00am

Winter Flower Festival All Saints’ Church Melbourn Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 20 15

t for the nex te a d g in s The clo er 17th Octob y a d ri F is issue ar in h will appe 2014 whic ts listing even r, e b m e c De nuary and Ja r, e b m e in Dec 015. February 2

Village information continued Orchard Surgery & Dispensary Monday to Friday 8:30 – 1pm and 3pm – 6pm Phone 01763 2260220 Telephone requests are not accepted

• •

For repeat prescriptions you can: Fax 01763 260220 or email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net

Melbourn Health Visiting Team Drop in clinics for parents and babies are held as follows: Melbourn clinic every Wednesday between 9.30am and 11.00am at: 35 Orchard Road, Melbourn. Telephone 01763 262861

Allow at least 48 hours (two working days – excluding weekends and bank holidays) for repeat prescriptions to be ready. Do not leave your request to the last minute. Prescription/medication depending on eligibility can be collected from the Surgery

Co-op

Tesco in Royston

Please let the dispensary know where you wish your prescriptions to be sent. This will remain your choice until we are informed otherwise.

BIN COLLECTION MELBOURN 5 September

Green & Blue Bin

12 September 19 September

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

26 September 3 October

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

10 October 17 October

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

24 October 31 October

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

7 November 14 November

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

21 November 28 November

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

5 December 12 December

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

19 December

Black Bin *Saturday Collection.

For an update on collections visit: www.scambs.gov.uk/content/friday For more information and collections of large household items Telephone 03450 450 063

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

8a Romsey Terrace, Cambridge. CB1 3NH Office Mon-Fri 9.00am-12.30pm. Telephone 01223 416 141 answerphone out of these hours admin@camtadcambs.org.uk

A drop in advisory session is held at Vicarage Close Community Room, the 4th Thursday of the month from 2pm to 4pm

See the website for more information www.cambridgeshirehearinghelp.org.uk Battery exchange and retubing. We do not do hearing tests

camsight Cam Sight’s Rural Support group meet in Melbourn to provide help, and friendship. The group provide enjoy speakers, music, information, events and trips and a chance to try out new equipment. They meet monthly on a weekday morning or afternoon. For further information Call 01223 420 033

on their side. The guns fell silent and that night carols filled the air. When Christmas was past the war continued. It is hard to imagine how the two lines felt when they were ordered to fire on new found friends. As part of our work relating to the commemoration of the First World War we looked at the concept of community and applied it to this situation. We tried to put ourselves into their shoes and think about whether there were fundamental differences between England and Germany or whether at this time of year there were more aspects in common. We created a response to these events with a poem, and I am pleased to include below some of the thoughtful work that they produced. Soldiers were looking up and you can see the lights Everything was silence and the English Soldiers said ‘Wow, there are lights everywhere’. They just realised it was Christmas Trees And the Germans came over. The English soldier was next to the Christmas Tree And the English solider said ‘do you speak English?’ The German said, ‘Yes, yes I do.’ The English said ‘We are celebrating Christmas, Would you like to celebrate with us And drink whiskey and get drunk?’ And the German soldier said, ‘Yes please’. Seb Masters – Year 7 I heard a voice, A German voice Coming clear and loud, on this mighty day. Slowly the voice came louder. Closer. Then you could make out words. German words. Singing carols. A tune. A happy tune. A Christmas tune. Suddenly I sat up. Shook my partner awake. I ran out, not waiting for my partner Shivering with fear on what I am to do. Hope and fear stirred inside me.

Walking with the Wounded

Cricket Team Success Year 7 boys captained by Harry Hopwood played the Cambridgeshire County stage of the cricket that they qualified for earlier and made it through their group in second place after victory over Linton and a narrow defeat to King’s Ely. This set up a semi-final with the winners of the other group which was Sawston and despite being a bowler and batter down through to injury, Melbourn still ran out easy winners and reached the final. The final was against Parkside but the occasion got to some of the players and lots of ‘wides’ and ‘no-balls’ resulted in a 10 run defeat. Overall the day was very enjoyable in the stunning setting of Clare College Sports Ground even with a murder of crows demolishing the boys packed lunches when no-one was looking. Main wicket takers were Will Mallen, Jake Williams and Harry Hopwood. Main run scorers were Jake Williams, Harry Hopwood and Jasper Bridges. From left to right: Zendon Balfour, Ryan Merrick, Charlie Campbell, Jasper Bridges (wk), Josh Montgomery, Tom Carrington, Will Mallen, Harry Hopwood (c), Jake Williams, Will Jones.

Elena Squire – Year 7

Walking with the Wounded Once again, Melbourn Village College students have proved themselves to be enthusiastic fundraisers, taking part en masse in a three legged race to raise money for the charity, ‘Walking with the Wounded’. This charity supports the rehabilitation of service men and women who have been injured in service of our nation, and enables them to make a new life, adapting to the challenges they face. In this period of reflection on the centenary of World War I, it is particularly appropriate for our students to consider the sacrifice of others. Year seven and eight students raised over £1,000 in sponsorship and from their contribution from a non-uniform day. It was a superb effort, and our students should be proud of their amazing efforts.

Cricket Team Success

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Scientific Approach to WWI at MVC Whilst some students visited the battlefields in France others, at school, took part in science activities relating to WW1. The students learned how to take basic healthcare measurements of pulse rate, breathing rate, body temperature and blood pressure. They then visited a mock-up field hospital ward. They had to diagnose all the patients and say who should be Treated and sent back Passed on to the base hospital for further treatment/ analysis Left to die! Our young scientists continued with their WWI making morse code circuits, investigating poppies and finding out why soldiers used glow worms!

• • •

Melbourn Dance Company The talented Melbourn Dance Company took part in the British Red Cross’s annual competition ‘Make Your Move’, held at Comberton Village College on Saturday 14th June. The group performed to friends and family, alongside other performance groups across Cambridgeshire. Our

piece focused on the life of the homeless and how the charity helps support those in difficult circumstances. Melbourn Dance Company didn’t make it through to the next round, though did win the Silver Award for fundraising, and won the title ‘Best Group Dynamic’. We look forward to participating again next year.

SSCO Reports on Sporting Triumphs KS 2 Rounders Tournament On Tuesday 3rd June, year 9 sports leaders ran the local rounders festival despite it being cold and windy. Harston, Foxton and Meldreth competed for the title which was eventually won by Harston. The children all improved throughout the morning and the leaders learned how to umpire and score the games. Well done to all who took part. KWIK Cricket Competition On Thursday 12th June, two year 10 and one year 11 boy helped the ECB local committee with running the kwik cricket competition at Foxton Cricket Club. They spent a hot afternoon, umpiring and scoring and were commended on their hard work by the organisers of the event. Mini Olympics 2014 Tuesday 17th June saw 16 sports leaders from MVC attend the annual year 4 Mini Olympics festival held at Wilberforce Road athletics track. 14 new Leadership Academy students from year 9 and 2 Young Ambassadors from year 10 helped run hockey and multiskills stations for year 4 pupils from South Cambridgeshire Primary schools. There were about 1500 children with their staff members so it was a huge event. Once again, MVC students rose to the occasion and learned how to lead and run their activity to many different groups over the course of the day. The YA’s from MVC were involved in the opening ceremony, introducing the event and plans for the day. Everyone had a great time and were suitably tired by the end of the day. Many thanks to all the sports leaders who once again did a magnificent job representing the school. Yr1 Multi-Skills On Tuesday 15th July, the year 9 Sports Leaders travelled over to Harston & Newton for their last festival of the year. They experienced taking very young children through the various activities planned which was both tiring and enjoyable. Many thanks to Harston for hosting many festivals this year and best wishes go to Maureen Sykes who retires this year, having made a huge impact on the PE curriculum and sporting prowess of the school. melbournmagazine

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Notre Ecole During the summer term our theme has been ‘growing things’ or ‘ça pousse’ for both of our children’s groups. We have learnt some vocabulary relating to the different parts of a sun flower (le tournesol) and also explained in French how to grow a plant. We put our instructions to the test and each child grew their own sunflower, after some false starts due to slugs and mice in Mme Whitton’s shed! As I write we are still looking forward to seeing them flower during the summer holidays. We also practised our version of ‘Jacques et le Haricot Magique’ (Jack and the Beanstalk). Some children made beautiful props which they brought along to the club for us to use and all the children worked very hard at learning their lines. At our last session we acted our play to a supportive and enthusiastic audience of friends and family and also sang them one of the songs we had learnt during the year. Our adult beginner’s class continue to make good progress. We have talked about nationality and where we come from and our jobs. We have practised using the verbs ‘avoir’ and ‘être’ in the present tense and numbers up to 60. Meanwhile members of our more advance conversation class have discussed the English stages of Le Tour de France, the recent train worker strike in France, National music day on 21st June and the village of Pernes in Provence which was recently visited by those members of the group who took part in Marines intensive language holiday to the South of France. September is always a good time to start a new learning something new so if you or your child are interested in joining one of our groups please get in touch. Notre Ecole, led by a native speaker and a graduate of European Studies with French, has been teaching French to pupils of all ages for nearly fourteen years. Call either Marine on 07533 443153 or

Janet on 07791 853448 for further details. If you prefer e-mail, contact marineboulter@yahoo.fr or janet.whitton@tiscali.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. Learn French in a friendly atmosphere *French for Children – Games, role-play, songs etc. Every Wednesday from 3.45pm to 4.30pm Every Thursday from 4:15pm to 5:00pm *French for Adults – All levels, Conversation Every Wednesday from 8.00pm to 9.00pm GCSE lessons available by arrangement. Individual lessons also available. Telelephone Marine 01763 222876 or Janet 01763 261231 mob-07533 443153 mob-07791 853448 Email marineboulter@yahoo.fr or janet.whitton@tiscali.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. (Enhanced CRB clearance recently completed)

Workers’ Educational Association Enrolment for the Autumn courses will be on Tuesday 16th September 10am-11am at Royston Town Hall. As previously there will be a choice of two courses: Collectors & Curios Pt 2. Peter Edwards Climate Change Wendy Hartnell

• •

The courses will start on 23rd September at Royston Town Hall 10am-11.30am and will last for 10 weeks. The cost will be £48. Details from Audrey Parsons 01763 244447.

Mark Laidlaw and Lesley Wilkinson – On page 25 of the last issue, the profile of mark Laidlaw and Lesley Wilkinson from MCI Precision Screen Ltd swe published the wrong photograph. We apologise to Mark and Lesley for the mistake.

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story time? Problems in Hundred Acre Wood Somewhere at the top of the Hundred Acre Wood a little boy and his bear play. On the surface it is an innocent world, but on closer examination by a group of experts you will find a forest where neuro-developmental and psychosocial problems go unrecognised and untreated. On the surface it is an innocent world: Christopher Robin, living in a beautiful forest surrounded by his loyal animal friends. Generations of readers of Winnie-the-Pooh stories have enjoyed these seemingly benign tales. However, perspectives change with time, and it is clear to a group of modern neuro-developmentalists that these are in fact stories of seriously troubled individuals, many of whom meet the ‘standard criteria’ for significant disorders. An exhaustive review of these stories offer a conclusion about the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood in hopes that their observations will help the medical community understand that there is a dark underside to this world. Beginning with Pooh. The most striking for this unfortunate bear is his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). Pooh also demonstrates a significant impulsivity (a tendency to act on a whim), as witnessed, for example, by his poorly thought out attempt to get honey by disguising himself as a rain cloud, this is further aggravated by an obsessive fixation on honey. The latter, of course, has also contributed to his significant obesity. Pooh’s repetitive counting behaviour suggests an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). He is also described as having Very Little Brain, a possible diagnoses could be Microcephaly, where the head is significantly smaller than those of other bears. However, this is a difficult diagnoses, as standards do not exist for the head circumference of the brown bear. The cause of Pooh’s poor brain growth may be found in the stories themselves. Early on Pooh is seen being dragged upstairs bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head. Could his later struggles with remembering and learning words be the result of a type of Shaken Bear Syndrome? Pooh needs intervention. His life would be much richer if he were to start a trial of low-dose stimulant medication. With the right support, including psychoactive drugs, Pooh might be fitter and more functional and perhaps produce (and remember) more poems.

I take a - PILL - tiddley pom It keeps me - STILL -tiddley pom, It keeps me - STILL - tiddley pom Not fiddling. And what of little Piglet? Poor, anxious, blushing flustered little Piglet. He clearly suffers from an Anxiety Disorder. Had he been properly assessed and his condition diagnosed when he was young, he could have been placed on an appropriate drug and been saved from the emotional trauma he experienced while attempting to trap heffalumps. Then there is their neighbour, Eeyore. What a sad life that donkey lives. There is insufficient history to diagnose if this as an inherited depression or to know whether some early trauma contributed to his chronic negativism. However, Eeyore would benefit greatly from an antidepressant, perhaps combined with individual therapy. Maybe with the right drug, Eeyore might begin to see the humour in the whole tail-losing episode. Even if a patch of St. John’s wort grew near his thistles, the forest could ring with a braying laugh. Owl: whilst obviously bright, he is dyslexic? His poignant attempts to cover up for his reading difficulty are similar to what we see day-in and day-out in others. If only his condition had been identified early and he received more intensive support! continued on page 47

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Baby Roo is of particular worry. It is not his impulsiveness or his hyperactivity that is of concern, those are probably age appropriate. It is the environment in which he is developing. Roo is growing up in a single- parent household, which puts him at high risk for poorer outcome. Roo is likely to end up a delinquent, jaded, adolescent, hanging out late at night at the top of the forest, the ground littered with broken bottles of extract of malt and the butts of smoked thistles. This will be Roo’s reality, in part because of a second issue. Roo’s closest friend is Tigger, who is not a good role model. Peer influences strongly affect outcome. Tigger is gregarious and affectionate, but he has a recurrent pattern of risk-taking behaviours. Look, for example, at his impulsive sampling of unknown substances when he first comes to the Hundred Acre Wood. With the mildest of provocation he tries honey, haycorns and even thistles. Tigger has no knowledge of the potential outcome of his experimentation. Later he is seen climbing tall trees and acting in a way that can only be described as socially intrusive. He leads Roo into danger. His behaviour shows obvious signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity, which would suggest the need for a stimulant medication. Kanga is noted to be somewhat overprotective. Could her possessiveness of Roo relate to a previous run-in with social services? And where will Kanga be in the future? It is highly likely that she will end up older, blowsier, struggling to look after several joeys conceived in casual relationships with different fathers, stuck at a dead end with inadequate financial resources. But perhaps that is a too gloomy outlook. Kanga may prove to be one of those exceptional single mothers

who show a natural resilience – an ability, to bounce back. Maybe Kanga will pass her GCSEs, earn a university degree and maybe even get an MBA. Perhaps some day Kanga will buy the Hundred Acre Wood and develop it into a gated community of half million pound homes. But that is not likely to happen, particularly in a social context that does not appear to value education and provides no strong female leadership. What leadership there is in the Hundred Acre Wood is simply that offered by one small boy, Christopher Robin. Christopher has not exhibited any diagnosable condition as yet, but there are several issues that need looking at. There is the obvious problem of a complete absence of parental supervision, not to mention the fact that this child is spending his time talking to animals. In the stories there are early signs of difficulty highlighted in E. H. Shepard’s illustrations, one of which suggest possible future gender identity issues for this child. Finally, there is Rabbit. His tendency to be extraordinarily self-important and his odd belief system that he has a great many relations (many of other species!) and friends. He seems to have an overriding need to organise others, often against their will, into new groupings, with himself always at the top of the reporting structure. Rabbit has clearly missed his calling, as he obviously belongs in senior-level hospital administration. Somewhere at the top of the forest a little boy and his bear play. Sadly, the forest is not, in fact, a place of enchantment, but rather one of disenchantment, where neuro-developmental and psychosocial problems go unrecognised and untreated. It is unfortunate that an ‘Expotition’ was never ‘Organdised’ to a child development clinic. An edited version of an assessment of Winnie-the Pooh and friends (A. A. Milne’s characters), produced by Dr Sarah Shea, the principal author and contributor. Illustrations by E. H. Shepard. Did you know… Winnie-the-Pooh was named after a Canadian black bear called Winnie that lived at London Zoo and Pooh was a swan the Milne family came across on holiday and became a character in one of A. A. Milne’s early works called When We Were Very Young.

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Bowls Malcolm Davey 262704 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies – 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies – 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe 261400 Croquet Janet Pope 248342 Football Club Andrew Edwards 223109 Dynamos Football Club Les Morley 07739 593771 Gardening Club Helen Powell 245887 Guides – Ist Melbourn Hilary Marsh 261443 Judo Derek Coult 225004 Melbourn Karate Club Peter Khera 07866 374674 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313 Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group Pat Smith 262575 Sue Toule 260955 Anne Harrison 261775

1st Melbourn Guides The summer term arrived, and so did 8 eager new girls, fresh from Brownies and ready to enjoy our Guide programme. After an evening of team-building activities, we got stuck into Go For Its and Enterprise challenges. These included fabric design of a drawstring bag for camp, and the creation of new hairstyles and hair accessories for girls. We had perfect sunny weather for our day trip to Chessington World of Adventures where the girls and leaders enjoyed being splashed, spun around, and scared silly on the rides and rollercoasters. On another lovely afternoon we enjoyed the District Rosebud Rally, celebrating the Brownie centenary with other local Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. The girls learned first aid, made cardboard dragon boats, and tried various crafts and outdoor games. Most Guide events have made use of the fine summer evenings; we did a compass-based hike and quiz to Riverside Park, played rounders on the

field, and had a fun tennis session on Meldreth courts. Cooking is always a popular activity at Guides; the girls have learned to make curry, risotto, pizza, waffles, and have also tried popcorn and camp fajitas over outdoor fires. As always, we will enjoy a camp during the summer holidays, for which we are hoping for fine dry weather! We currently have a full unit and a waiting list, and would welcome another adult leader. If you would like to know more about becoming a Guide or a Leader, or if you have any skills or hobbies which you would like to share with us, please contact me on: 01763 261443 or email: melbournguides@ gmail.com Hilary Marsh

Meldreth History Group Meldreth History Group will be holding a World War 1 exhibition which will include the Melbourn displays, at the Sheltered Housing Community Centre in Elin Way, Meldreth on 9th November 10am to 12.30pm. We would like to invite everyone to come and see our exhibition and share a hot drink with us, particularly those who attended the War Memorial Service at Meldreth.

Photographic Club Bruce Huett 232855 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677 Royston and District Round Table Michael Seymour 221398 Squash Club Nick Sugden 261064 Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593 Tennis (Melbourn) Dave Liddiard 07508 995 781 Tennis (Meldreth) Sue Davies 220174

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More than just a pavilion Located on the QEII playing fields, the Community Pavilion has recently gone through major refurbishment, thanks to the funds and donations granted by various organisations and businesses. The modernised facility includes a large, bright meeting area, accommodating approximately seventy people, a fitted kitchen, state of the art changing facilities and toilet facilities, economic lighting both inside and outside, a secure ‘safe-space’ at the front and rear, safe access and the large open space in which it

is positioned. Access to the building has also been improved and made completely disabled-friendly and the path from the car park also widened, with new lighting along its length. With these improvements, the Community Pavilion now offers an ideal venue for family parties and corporate events, and a great way to celebrate a special day without breaking the bank balance. For further details on the community pavilion then please call 01763 263313 or email pavilion@ mc-sport.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you this season!

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Melbourn And District Photographic Club The new season for the Melbourn and District Photographic Club starts on Tuesday 16th September when new and old members will be welcomed back after the summer recess for an exciting mixture of photographic talks, competitions and Club Evenings throughout the year. Meetings begin at 7.30pm and are held weekly at the Foxton Village Hall through to April 2015. The Autumn Season will include: 16th September – Welcome Evening and some holiday Tales 23rd September – A self-judged competition to help us to warm up for the season 30th September – Club Evening

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to include a mixture of tuition and judging the Village Challenge competition 7th October – 1st Open Projected Image competition 14th October – Points of View competition 21st October – A talk, ‘Wildlife on your doorstep & Exciting wildlife from around the World’

Photograph Close Encounter, Kevin Robinson, Winner of Projected Image of the Year Anyone wishing to know more about the Club should e-mail the club at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com for more details. The full program and other useful information about the Club, including a selection of our work can be found on the Club’s website: www. melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk.

Melbourn Photographic Club has a reputation as a very friendly photographic club and truly will welcome new members, whatever their ability. For anyone new to photography who wishes to learn more and to improve their photographic skills, there is no better way to learn than to join our club.

Royston & District Local History Society www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk Our website shows all the books we have for sale. Many of these result from the considerable work undertaken by our Publications sub-committee. The books are available at our meetings or may be ordered by post from David Allard (01763 242677. They may also be purchased at the Royston Museum & Arts Gallery in Kneesworth Street and some are available at the Cave Bookshop in Melbourn Street. The society is responsible for the opening of Royston Cave, Melbourn Street, Royston which will be open on Saturdays and Sundays 2.30pm-5pm (last admission 4.30pm) until the end of September. Re-opening 4th April 2015. www.roystoncave.co.uk Our evening meetings are held in the Heritage Hall (the main hall downstairs) Royston Town Hall starting at 8pm. After the talk which lasts about an hour, coffee and biscuits will be served. Books will be on sale. Annual membership £5 (Sept-Aug) (Under 18s half price) Visitors £2. October 2nd – Woodhall & the Abel Smith family Dorothy Abel Smith MBE November 6th – The impact of the First World War Mike Muncaster on Britain

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Royston and District Family History Society This is my first contribution to the Melbourn Magazine and our Society would like to thank Avril Emery for her work for the Society as our previous contributor to this Magazine as well as our Chairman and Journal Editor. Our recent programme included members enjoying some interesting insights in the way to date old photographs and at the AGM we were melbournmagazine

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Our volunteers are all parents or grandparents who can give a few hours a week to help families who are finding it difficult to cope. All parents need emotional and practical help to get through the first few years, but not everyone has friends or family nearby.

Nature Lavender Love and Purple Haze

Many of the plantings in the Botanic Garden highlight the importance of flowers and their pollinators. Chief amongst these are the Bee Borders, a demonstration of plants that are particularly good nectar sources for insects. Alternatively, take a walk around the Systematic Beds and watch the bees picking out the flowers that are at their best and producing plenty of nectar - at this time of year the Compositae or daisy family beds are particularly good. When planting to attract insects, providing a diversity of flower structures and flowering times is key and a visit to the Garden can help inform your choices. Lavenders are well known and recommended for attracting insects but one particular cultivar stands apart and is often commented on by visitors to the Garden. This special plant is a type of Lavandin, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Sussex’, one of the larger-growing hybrids reaching about 1-1.2mtr high and blooming from July through to the end of August. Walk around the lavender hedge that encircles the Rose Garden and ‘Sussex’ is the one literally buzzing with honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies and even day-flying moths. When in full flower, it’s the favourite of favourites in the Bee Border for nectar-feeding insects. So why is it so much better than others? The large flower spikes bear fresh flowers over many weeks giving longevity of flowering and hence nectar supply. The flower colour is attractive but not spectacular and is unlikely to be a significant factor in why ‘Sussex’ is the top destination. We suspect it simply produces more nectar than other cultivars and it is this that attracts so many insects. Another plant in this colour spectrum and indeed the same plant family (Lamiaceae), is the tall and transparent Verbena bonariensis, which can self-seed freely in our county’s

generally free draining soils to create a purple haze that is the perfect foil for the late summer flowering reds and oranges of dahlias and montbretias. Throughout August, the pompoms of tiny tubular, intensely violet flowers wave in the slightest breeze and are the perfect landing platforms for all sorts of insects – comma butterflies are often attracted, but it is the small tortoiseshells that seem to love this plant. As Verbena bonariensis has become a more and more popular garden plant in recent years, so the populations of small tortoiseshells have increased – could there perhaps be a virtuous circle developing? Certainly, judicious choice of plants for our own gardens can do much to improve the situation for our insect pollinators. The Botanic Garden is open 10am-6pm through July– September (Wednesdays in July until 8pm). Admission is £4.50, Giftaid admission £4.95 or join the Friends, get free admission and help the Garden grow! For news and events, detailed information about the Garden or to discover this week’s Plant Picks from the Head of Horticulture, please visit the website at www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

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sad to say goodbye to three members of the Committee, including Avril, but delighted to welcome two new ones. Neville Chuck is our new Chairman. Our programme for the rest of 2014 is as follows: Sept 5th Apprentices Oct 20th Member’s Evening Nov 17th They gave their lives. Stories of local lads. Dec 15th Christmas Buffet Our member’s evenings are felt to be helpful to new members but even those of us who have been researching for years frequently come up against a “brick wall” that we haven’t experienced before and are grateful to pick the brains of someone who has. This would also be a good time to remind you that you don’t need to have local ancestors to join us, in fact very few of us have. Family history experiences and dilemmas are the same where ever you may be researching. No matter how much information is available on line there is still a need to TALK to like minded souls from time to time. We also undertake projects which we see as our contribution to the wider family history family of researchers. We are looking at possible subjects to mark the commemoration of the centenary of WW1 Our latest publication is the Monumental Inscriptions for Wallington Parish Church. The current ongoing, and very large project, is the Orchard Road Cemetery, Melbourn. Progress is being made. All our publications are available on our bookstall at meetings, from our website www.roystonfhs.org.uk or from the Parish Chest website, www. parishchest.com. All our meetings, unless otherwise stated, take place on the third Monday of the month at All Saints Community Hall, Melbourn with doors opening for chat and a look at the bookstall at 7.30 pm and talks commencing at 8pm. We are always happy to see new faces and can assure you of a warm welcome. Pam Wright, Journal Editor, Royston & District FHS

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Melbourn and District Gardening Club Are you interested in gardening? Why not

join the Melbourn and District Gardening Club on a regular or occasional basis. We meet at 7.30p.m on the second Tuesday each month, at the Community Hall, behind All Saints Church (near traffic lights, lane by telephone box)

A busy month for the club Coach outing to Hampton Court Palace and Gardens By setting out early we missed the traffic and arrived just as the gates opened. The weather was good, if a little too hot at times! The Palace was huge and there was plenty to see, in fact some of us spent so much time looking round the palace, there wasn’t much time to see the gardens. (Although you could see some of them through the windows) We could have done with two days to see it all. Some members went on a guided tour with an ex history teacher. The additional information made the day even more enjoyable. Within the gardens there was plenty of seating, a well stocked herbaceous borders, a Maze covering a third of an acre and the 240 year old Great Vine. The Staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. People dressed in period costume which added to the atmosphere. The facilities were good and the cafes provided fresh food with plenty of seating. Everywhere was well signposted, which made it easy to get around A good day – join us on our trip next year!!

for the various classes. This year we added a photography class. It was so popular that next year, we will have to supply another display board. Previous Talks Philip Whaites Head Gardener at Wimpole visited us in July and gave a talk with slides, on the current Restoration of Wimpole Gardens at Wimpole Hall. He explained the history of the gardens and brought us up to date with future plans. Several buildings, including the apple store and mushroom house had been restored and are now in use.

AUTUMN PROGRAMME

» Tuesday 9 September 2014 –

Herbaceous Plants and Grasses for Seasonal Excitement and Colour. Hilary Thomas Tuesday 14 October 2014 – Gardens of the South East. Neil Holmes Smith Tuesday 11 November 2014 Heritage Plants. Richard Gant Head Gardener Madingley Hall New members and visitors very welcome. For more information - ring Helen 01763 245887

» »

Melbourn Karate Club Students from the Melbourn Kamaete Schools of Traditional Shotokan Karate club (KSTSK) attended their first tournament held at Wodson Park Sports

Visit to the garden of Richard Ayres, retired Head Gardener at Anglesey Abbey We had previously seen slides and heard Richard talk about his garden at Lode, so it was good to see the real thing. Richard made us very welcome showing us the beautiful, colourful, herbaceous borders and immaculate lawn edges. The afternoon was rounded off with tea and cakes provided by ladies from the church, where Richard is the organist. Flower Show and Afternoon Tea at All Saints Community Hall Tea and cakes were provided by the club committee and helpers for our second Flower Show. There were many entries

Gavin Elliott-Turner with Gold Medal

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Centre, Ware in May. At the tournament there were members representing 15 clubs from around Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire put on a marvellous display of Karate and spirit in Kumite (sparring) and Kata (Formal Sequence). Friends and families showed their support as they cheered on everyone throughout the day. Events covered all ages, from age 6 years Kata, through teenager and adult categories to Black Belt Kata and Kumite. The popular Family Team (synchronised) Kata event, proved a huge success again with many teams coming forward. Sensei Peter Khera 5th Dan who teaches at Melbourn commented “Melbourn club students did very well especially as it was their first tournament. Naturally they were nervous and excited but all took part and gave it their best. Well done !” Gavin- Elliott Turner took Gold medal in Individual kata and brothers George and Henry Whybrow took Bronze in Team Kata. In June members of the Melbourn Club attended Grading Examinations held at Hertfordshire Sports Village, Hatfield. Sensei Peter Khera, Instructor commented “all students had been working hard learning new movements and kicks and it was great to see the progress they had made when they demonstrated these techniques at the examination”. Grading results as follow: First Name

Last Name

Grade/Belt

Dan Carrier Blue Rory Carrier Blue Evie Carrier Blue George Whybrow Blue Steve Huff Red Callum Keir Red Megan Huff Red Henry Whybrow Red Gavin Elliott-Turner Red Asa Waldman Orange The club meets every Sunday at 12 Midday at Melbourn Village College Sports Centre. New beginners welcome are always welcome and no special clothing needed, the first lesson is Free. For further details contact 07866 374674 or visit www.kstsk.co.uk

Ramblers’ Association Royston and District Group Our

walks

programme

continues

right through the year. For details visit our website: www.ramblers-hertsnorthmiddlesex.org.uk or contact David Allard 242677. Email: david.allard@ntlworld.com or Lesley Abbiss 273463. There is also a poster displaying walks for the current month in both Melbourn and Royston libraries. We have walks on Sundays, which are normally 5–7 miles in the morning and a similar or shorter walk in the afternoon. Occasionally Sunday walks are Figures of Eight making it possible to do only the morning or only the afternoon. Half-day walks are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Our evening walks will resume on 27th April 2015. Prospective new members are welcome and may come on three walks before deciding whether to join. www.ramblers.org.uk to join.

Melbourn Bridge Club The Club continues to attract thirty or more players on a Monday evening at 7.30pm in Vicarage Close. Duplicate bridge is played and the evening’s results are circulated to all by email every Tuesday morning. The results are also always published on the Club Website melbourn.org.uk/bridge club New players are still welcome and can turn up alone when they will always be guaranteed a game. We do, however, encourage players to form partnerships and become regular members of this very friendly Club. Many of these newly formed partnerships are already coming out on top on Monday evenings. They also take part in any friendly matches we are able to arrange and annual social evenings at Christmas. So there is no excuse for not giving this fascinating game of bridge a try and our contact person is still Howard Waller on 261693.

Expert Advice at the Family History Fair With the eleventh series of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ airing on our screens this summer, family history has never been more popular. If you’ve ever thought about researching your own ancestry, expert advice will be on hand at the

Cambridgeshire Family History Society Fair on 25 October. Speakers will teach you how to find your Cambridgeshire ancestors and then turn your research into a story. You will also hear about the Imperial War Museum Duxford’s collection of Second World War images as well as learning how to date old photographs from clues given in the pictures. Exhibitors from family and local history societies will be attending, as well as organisations offering everything that you need to help you with your research. Whether your ancestors are from Cambridgeshire, or beyond, volunteers from the Society will be available for one-to-one sessions to give advice about getting started and what to do if you get stuck. There will also be free access to the main online genealogy providers’ websites throughout the day. The fair is taking place at Girton Glebe School. Doors open 10am-4pm. Parking and entry is free (£2 to attend each talk). The Citi 6 bus stops outside the school. See www.cfhs.org.uk or http://on.fb.me/ UdrbZ8 for further details or contact Lisa Newman, cambsfhs@hotmail.co.uk.

Bonfitness Pilates Melbourn Community Pavilion Next to Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn SG8 6ED Class Times: Thursday: 11.30am–12:30pm Beginners

The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning develops the body uniformly, corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit. Joseph H. Pilates

For more information, visit www.bonfitnesspilates.co.uk or Telephone 07867 675 389

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Hair Salon

10 Fordham Way, Melbourn SG8 6JB Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Call 01763 262246 or 07979597168

Colouring Tint High/Low Lights Full Head Half Head T-Section Perming Full Head

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Styling Dry/Wet cut Adult – ladies/gents Children (under 16) Cut & Blowdry Blowdry

£38 £53 £48 £32 £43

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Cambridge Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Carpet and upholstery cleaner based in Cambridge. Working in and around Cambridge, Royston, Saffron Walden, Newmarket and Huntingdon.

• Carpet cleaning using Dry Fusion™ system • Hot water extraction cleaning • Host® Dry Cleaning for natural floor coverings • Stain treatment • Upholstery cleaning using Crystal Fusion™ • Curtains cleaned in situ treatment • Infestation Odour neutralisation using ozone generator • Competitively priced Fully insured with public and product liability Environmentally-friendly products used

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MFurnitureM A N D

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Large Selection of Antique, Good Quality Secondhand/Character Furniture, Collectables and Curiosities New Beds, Mattresses, Furniture and much more

Open Mon - Fri 9.30 – 4.30 Sat 9.30 - 4.00 House Clearances undertaken We also buy books, collectables, furniture etc. Tel: 07596 990660

United Reformed Church Derrick Thurley 1921–2014 We at Melbourn URC have much to be grateful to Derrick for, through his lifelong witness at Church. He leaves both a gap in our lives and a lasting legacy for us to continue to enjoy. Gwen wishes to thank all friends for their cards, messages of sympathy and support following the loss of Derrick and for their generous donations to the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund in his memory. Village Fete 2014 A number of church members manned the URC stall at the 2014 Village Fete and were fortunate that the gazebos covering us survived the torrential rain!! We welcomed a number of people to the stall, offered shelter, and shared information about the church and our activities. Despite the un-seasonal weather, we crafted with a number of youngsters, began our “prayer patchwork” and sold some Fairtrade goods. Harvest Sunday – 21st September We extend a warm welcome to friends in and around the village to join us for some or all of our Harvest celebrations. The timings will be as follows 11am - Harvest Festival and Brownie and Guide Parade Service 4pm – 5pm – Bring and Share Harvest Tea open to all 5pm – Harvest Songs of Praise Service (Followed by sale of produce - proceeds to Jimmy’s Night Shelter)

» » »

Our Reflective Services and Bible Studies will restart in the Autumn. Please do

check the notice board for more details. Our Thursday Craft and Chat group will restart on 4th September after the summer break. We meet between 2-4pm in our church hall. We will again be making a variety of items to be included in the Samaritans Purse Shoeboxes in time for the mid-November ‘Shoebox Sunday’ Service, in addition to various other individual and charitable projects. Contact Anne Field Tel 01763 220869 for more information. Looking ahead

» Saturday 6th December ‘Tastes of Christmas’

We look forward to welcoming everyone to our second ‘Tastes of Christmas’ event. We will again be concentrating mainly on Christmas foods, with a wide variety of seasonal tasters on offer, to eat or buy. Drop in for some Christmas biscuits with your morning coffee, a quick lunch or a Christmas twist to your afternoon tea. continued on page 47

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Pool Parties at Mel-BOURN2SWIM 1 Hour in a warm pool with slide and various toy floats A choice of hot or cold food after your fun swim Individual float jackets available All this for £150.00

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Wednesdays 7.15pm Jazzercise

Royston - Greneway School, Garden Walk Tuesdays 6.15pm Body Sculpt, 7.00pm Jazzercise

Thursdays 6.40pm Body Sculpt 7.30pm Jazzercise Saturdays 9.00am Jazzercise

For more information text or call Maxine on 0796 316 1246 or email jazzercise_royston.melbourn@yahoo.co.uk

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Supporters of All Saints (Soas)

Personal care for your feet in the comfort of your own home • Nail Trimming • Hard Skin & Cracked Heels • Corns & Verrucas • Fungal Nails Please Telephone for Day, Evening & Weekend Appointments on 01763 261250 or 0791 3913955 Nancy Foster MCFHP MAFHP

Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals

email: nancy.foster@tesco.net

Our programme has been rather quiet of late but on 22nd June we organised three tours of the Parish Church for both members and other interested parties. Those attending were shown the various areas of the building such as the Norman font, the list of Vicars from 1229 and the War Memorial contained within the Lady Chapel. This last point was especially apt in view of the World War 1 Exhibition that was to follow in the next few weeks. The tours were able to sit awhile in the choir stalls while the guides pointed out the various armorial shields of the Melbourn families starting with the Argentines who came over in 1066 with William! They also saw the memorial to Dame Mary Hatton who lived through seven reigns. Finally the parties were led to be back of the church and invited to spot The Green Man hiding among the roof beams. Not the easiest of tasks. By this time each tour was ready for the delicious cream teas served by the ladies of the Committee in the All Saints Community Hall. Details of our autumn programme will be circulated to all members but if any reader would like to join SOAS please contact me as shown. Colin Limming Membership Secretary 01763 260072 colin. limming@btinternet.com The May draw was made by Mike Rawlings on 31st May. The first prize of £25.40 goes to Helen Poley (45) at 11 Water Lane and the second of £12.70 goes to Rosemary Gatward (57) at 94 High Street The June draw was made by Mike Rawlings on 28th June. There were 76 members. The first prize of £25.40 goes to J M Sykes (6) at 4a Spencer Drive and the second of £12.70 goes to Robert Ellis (1) at 11 Mortlock Street. The July draw was made by Rev Andrew O’Brien on 6th August. The first prize of £25.40 goes to Eve Anderson (7) at 3 Spencer Drive and the second of £12.70 to Angela Leach (26) at 32 Hale Close. The Mother If you should die, think only this of me In that still quietness where is space for thought, Where parting, loss and bloodshed shall not be, And men may rest themselves and dream of nought: That in some place a mystic mile away One whom you loved has drained the bitter cup Till there is nought to drink; has faced the day Once more, and now, has raised the standard up. And think, my son, with eyes grown clear and dry She lives as though for ever in your sight, Loving the things you loved, with heart aglow For country, honour, truth, traditions high, -Proud that you paid their price. (And if some night Her heart should break-well, lad, you will not know.

May Herschel-Clarke (1850-1950). ‘The Mother’ was published in 1917 and was written after reading Rupert Brooke’s sonnet, ‘The Soldier’. melbournmagazine

Melbourn Buildings/Fencing Suppliers Phillimore Garden Centre, Melbourn Tel 01763 263336 Open Mon – Sat 9.30am–5pm Sun 10am–4pm Manufacturers of all types of garden buildings. Customised buildings our speciality. Landscaping and fencing supplied and installed. Sheds, Summerhouses, Gazebo’s, Aviaries, Catteries, Kennels/runs, Chalets, Log Cabins. Basis undertaken.

www.melbournwoodenbuildings.co.uk

The Black Horse welcomes you … Steve, Kerry and all the staff would like to welcome you to

The Black Horse, Melbourn A traditional country pub which serves real ales, with a friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to have a quiet drink, a bite to eat or you’d like to watch televised sporting events, a warm welcome is guaranteed. Dining Food is served Wednesday–Sunday 1200-1400hr & 1800-2030hr. Parking The Black Horse has it’s own private car park and there is also ample local street parking available. Outdoor Facilities We have a large Beer Garden to the rear comprising a decking patio area overlooking an fully-enclosed garden with children’s play equipment. Smokers Smoking inside the bar areas is not permitted by law but in addition to the outdoor patio/garden we also have a substantial permanently covered and partly enclosed decked seating area which, although open-air, offers very effective protection from the elements.

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Children We aim to provide a family-friendly environment. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome inside the bar lounges. At the moment we only have one high-chair available, but customers are welcome to make their own arrangements. For baby/toddler feeding just ask if you need any water or anything warmed. Dogs We recognise that some of our customers like to include the pub on their dog walk, and we aim to accommodate them but do ask that in consideration of our other patrons dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Particularly inside the premises the lead needs to be short enough to keep your dog close to you. Private Functions The Black Horse is available for private functions, for further details just give us a call.

The Black Horse 63 Orchard Rd, Melbourn, Royston. SG8 6BP Telephone 01763 262136 email: info@theblackhorsemelbourn.co.uk

What’s on The Hub Club Starting on 10 September As the new Hub is such a natural meeting place for villagers it seems a good idea to have a lunch club. This will be open to anyone and, hopefully, an occasion to meet with friends but also make new friends as we will all sit together. Initially the Hub Club will meet on the 2nd Wednesday in the month, starting on 10 September at 12.30pm. The Hub café has a range of snacks at reasonable prices available throughout the day. Jane Stevens

Fowlmere and Thriplow Gardening Club Saturday 20th September Fowlmere and Thriplow Gardening Club will be holding its Annual Show on Saturday 20th September in Fowlmere Village Hall from 2:30 – 4:30 pm. There are Open Classes for Floral Art, Pot Plants, Fruit, Vegetables, Flowers, Cookery, Handicrafts and Photography. There are classes for children including a miniature garden and home-made biscuits. And for the men there will be a special prize for the most talented cupcake designer! Show schedules are available (price £1) from Thriplow Village Shop and at St Mary’s Church, Fowlmere coffee mornings. Afternoon tea will be served from 2:30 pm. There will be a tombola, raffles and a plant stall. An auction of items from the show will start at 4:30 pm following the prize-giving Do come along!

Poetry workshop

Tutor: Clare Crossman has published three books of poetry: Going Back (Firewater Press Cambridge, 2003) The Shape of Us, (Shoestring Press Nottingham 2010,) and Vanishing Point (Shoestring Press 2013). She performs poems from Fen Song A Ballad of the Fen with music and lyrics from acoustic musician Penni Mclaren Walker. Why not combine the poetry group with a visit to the Library and even perhaps lunch beforehand? The Hub offers a wide menu. Food and poetry go well together! All Enquiries: claremcphee@netscape.net

Royston Arts Festival Friday 19th September to Sunday 28th September A UNIQUE town trail of heroes and villains is to be created for this year’s Royston Arts Festival, organised by Creative Royston. The trail will see ceramic plaques depicting some of Royston’s historic characters placed on selected buildings around the town. World-renowned trumpet player Alison Balsom will take part in a one-off ‘conversation-with’ type event (supported by Curwen’s).

A tribute to

Robbie Williams

Starting on Monday October 6th Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run; From Ode to Autumn by John Keats Are you interested in writing and reading poetry? Would you enjoy sharing your interest with others in a supportive and informal group, which is founded in association with Clear Spring writers? A new workshop at the Hub aims to do just this. Starting on Monday October 6th at 2.00 until 4.00. and running for 10 weeks, whether you have written many, read many, or only just a few: all are welcome. Come and try it out, free, at the first session.

Let Robbie entertain you! SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER 2014 19.30 - LATE THREE COURSE MEAL INCLUDED

£25.95 per person

Pre booking required. A non refundable deposit at time of booking (£10) then full pre payment 14 days prior to the event. Banquetting tables of ten and we reserve the right to split larger parties into smaller groups or smaller parties to join other groups. Any dietary requirements must be stated at time of booking.

Call: 01223 832047 to book STATION ROAD EAST, WHITTLESFORD BRIDGE, CAMBRIDGE CB22 4NL eventsmgr@redlionwhittlesfordbridge.com www.redlionwhittlesfordbridge.com /redlionwhittlesford

15514 Dinner Dance Robbie Tribute A5_v2.indd 1

09/05/2014 10:17

melbournmagazine

Available on Royston Market: Saturdays and Wednesdays 8am to 1pm approx

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,

Timber • Aggregates Fencing • Paving • Bricks Blocks • Sheet Material Insulation & much more

Fish direct from Great Yarmouth, Bread and Cakes, Cheese & Cold meats (Wednesdays only) Flowers and Plants, Jewellery (Gold bought for Cash), Picture Framing, (Saturdays only) Kitchenware, Antiques, Pet Supplies. Ladies Wear (Wednesdays only) Golf Equipment (Saturdays only)

New Traders Always Welcome Contact Market Manager 01763 245484 or email: markets@roystontowncouncil.gov.uk

Royston Town Council 66

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Phone: 01763 261740 Email: sales@norburys.com www.norburys.com 1 London Way Melbourn, SG8 6DJ (Just off Back Lane)

Other highlights will include Scotland’s funniest newcomer Iain Stirling. Meridian School performing arts students to create a storytelling show for children. The storytelling will be taking place at Tannery Drift School on Saturday 20 September at 2pm and 4pm. Royston-based Corvus Amateur Drama Society with an ambitious production of The Fosdyke Saga. Exhibitions include the annual show by the Royston Arts Society at Royston Town Hall (Friday-Sunday). For more details visit www.roystonartsfestival.org.

6th Annual Beer festival The Royal British Legion Social Club Friday 19th to Friday 26th September 2014 Our regular range of Beers and drinks plus 12 Guest Real Ales and 2 Ciders Music on Saturday night Plus BBQ Further details updating on the website http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/bottisham or from the Club on 01223 812063

Valuation Day with Thomas Plant Saturday 25th October The Trustees of All Saints Community Hall are holding another fund raising event this time a Valuation Day with the antiques expert Thomas Plant. Thomas appears regularly on Flog It and Antiques Road Trip. This is an opportunity to bring along your valuables/curios to have an expert eye give his opinion on value or use. The event takes place in the Hall on Saturday 25th October between 11am–4pm. Refreshments and light lunch will be available during the day.

be open from 10:30 am until 5 pm. We hope to have 20 to 25 layouts present with the remainder of the stands being Traders, Demonstrators & Society -based. Tea, Coffee and light refreshments will be available. Miniature train rides by members of the Royston & District Model Engineering Society on their outside track (Weather permitting!). Admission £4.00 per Adult and accompanied children are free. We intend to run a bus service between Royston Bus & Train Stations and Bassingbourn Village College on the day. Please visit our web site www.roystondmrc.co.uk for further/updated information.

Autumn Art Exhibition Foxton Village Hall Friday 14th – Sunday 16th November 2013 Held since 2003 at Foxton’s attractive and modern village hall, the Annual Autumn Art Exhibition aims to display and sell quality works of art from local artists. The exhibition team led by Foxton’s School Head, Jenny Jones, present a modern stylish event with exhibits from talented local artists. All proceeds support the primary school in exciting ways including visual and performing arts. Exhibits are displayed in a variety of medias including ceramics, wood and textiles as well as oils, pastels, watercolour, ink and photography. Exhibiting artists include local artist, George Meliniotis, who presents beautifully painted seascapes, landscapes and scenes of Cambridge in oils and acrylics and Tina Bone, whose lovely Natural History and Botanical Illustrations are popular. This year presents a large variety of works on display with something to suit most tastes and pockets. The Friends of Foxton School welcome all new visitors along with all artists. Foxton Autumn Art Exhibition Fri 14th Preview evening. Free entry 7.30pm–9.30pm Sat 15th 10.30am-4pm £2.00 entry (children free) Sun 16th 11am-4pm £2.00 entry (children free) www.foxtonart.org

Fireworks Extravaganza! Saturday 8th November gates open 6pm

Winter Flower Festival

At Melbourn Primary School

All Saints’ Church – Melbourn

Display starts 7pm Tickets Prices Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) £14* Adult £5 Children (school age) £3

Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 2015

Refreshments and BBQ available *Family tickets are only available in advance from the school. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an Adult.

Model Railway Club Saturday the 15th November 2014 The Royston & District Model Railway Club will be holding its 28th Annual Exhibition at Bassingbourn Village College on Saturday the 15th November 2014. The exhibition will

We are starting to plan for our fifth winter flower festival at All Saints’. Would you like to be involved? You don’t need to be a flower arranger, perhaps you would like to help arrange or take on an arrangement yourself? We need help with refreshments – for the arrangers on the Thursday and Friday before the event and over the weekend of the festival. If you can help with publicity or would like to sponsor an arrangement (full or part) If you can help in any way, we would be really pleased to hear from you. For further information or to offer help please contact Rebecca Gatward by email rebecca.gatward@btinternet.com or telephone Rosemary Gatward 01763 261225. melbournmagazine

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Melbourn magazine is non-profit and all work on the magazine including layout is produced by volunteers. The Magazine is published four times a year in the first week of March, June, September and December. We print 2200 copies which are delivered free to every house in the village. Advertising revenue is used for printing costs only. Adverts should be supplied as finished artwork and must be at the sizes shown below. Please send artwork to mag@melbourn.org.uk. The current rates for advertising in the Magazine are as follows: Size per…

Width x Height

1/4 inside page(79 × 128 mm) 1/2 inside page(163 × 128 mm) Full inside page(163 × 262 mm)

B/W

Colour

Advertising rates are per year (four issues)

£87 £152 N/A

£130 £216 £422

For further information on advertising please telephone 220363. Remittance or cheques should be made to Melbourn Magazine.

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